Parthenogenesis

Parthenogenesis, a form of asexual reproduction in which a new organism develops from an egg that has not been fertilized. The word parthenogenesis comes from the Greek terms parthenos, meaning “virgin,” and genesis, meaning “creation.” Parthenogenesis is common in insects and other lower animals, and in plants. It also occurs in some higher animals, including certain amphibians, reptiles, fishes, and birds. Among plants, the biological reproduction of fruit without fertilization is called parthenocarpy. Such fruit is seedless.

Parthenogenesis does not occur naturally in mammals; however, in 2004 scientists created a “fatherless” mouse by means of genetic engineering.