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Jaina Biology
In regards to the determination of sex Jaina Biology explains that the relative predominance of Sukra (semen-sperm ) in the fertilized ovum (gabbha) is a factor which influences the sexual character of the resulting offspring. That is, the excess of sperm cell produces the male, while that of the germ cell Oyam= śoṇita) produces the female. If the sperm-cell and gerw-cell i. e. Sukra and oyam şoņita - are equal are neuter (napumsaka ) is born.190
Besides, the determination of sex depends in part on a periodicity to which the life history of the ovum in the female parent is conceived to be subject-a law under which the fertilization of the ovum on the fourth day after the menstrual discharge, or on the alternate (even) days succeding is favourable to the foetus developing the male sexual character, and on alternate following days to the foetus assuming the female sex. 194
The view of Jaina Biology on the determination of sex is corroborated by the evidence of Indian Ayurvedic Science and supported indirectly by modern Biology genetically in the following manner :
"In man and perhaps in other mammals maleness is determined in large part by the presence chromosome. An individual who has the constitution is nearly a normal male in his external appearance, though with under-developed gonads. An individual with one X but no Y chromosome has the appearance of an immature female".
"Eggs contain one X chromosome ; half the sperms have an X chromosome, the other half have a Y. Fertilization of an X bearing egg by an Y bearing sperm results in an XX, female, zygote. The fertilization of an X-bearing egg by a Y-bearing sperm results in an XY, male zygote..” 192
Some of the phenomena in human inheritance have been observed by the Jainācāyas on the basis of some principles of inheritance of human traits as revealod in the Jaina works. It is suggested that the development of each organ of the body is regulated by a large number of genes 193 (units of inheritance). The age at which a particular gene expresses itself phenitypicaily may vary widely as indicated by ten daśas (stages)194 of human life. 190. Tandula Veyaliya, p. 13. 191. Ibid (comm.), p. 4. 192 Biology p. 747. 193. Biology, p. 501. "Gene applies to any hereditary unit that can undergo
mutation and be detected by the change it produses in the phenotype
of the organism" ibid., p. 485. 194. Tandula Veyaliyā, pp. 15-16
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