News > What is the maximum number of biological parents an organism can have?

What is the maximum number of biological parents an organism can have?

While most organisms have two genetic parents, some animals and plants can have more. Humans can technically have three genetic parents through procedures like mitochondrial replacement therapy, where healthy mitochondrial DNA is transferred to an egg cell. Polyspermy, a rare phenomenon, can also result in three genetic parents if two sperm cells fertilize the same egg. Triploid mammals usually cannot survive.