# Parthenogenesis and the Turkey **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [October 18, 1999, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parthenogenesis-and-the-turkey/255 "1999-10-18T18:12:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lkay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/34f0e0/32.png) [@Lkay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lkay)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 1999, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parthenogenesis-and-the-turkey/255/1 "1999-10-18T18:12:00Z")
It is hard to believe, but the topic of how the turkey becomes impregnated with their young came up at dinner this weekend. Fortunately I was able to bring to the discussion the information on parthenogenesis and the turkey, including how approximately 40% of the Turkey population is able to reproduce without the benefit of sex. WELL, the individual I was with DID NOT believe what I was saying and told me that I must have read incorrectly OR remembered what I read incorrectly. He was so sure of himself that he bet me I was wrong (he wanted to bet me $5000.00 dollar he was so sure of himself). I bet him $200 (the price of a new purse at Nordstoms). When presented with the facts however, this individual is trying to worm his way OUT of paying by bringing a biologists into the picture for questioning on the accuracy of this statement (40%). Could you PLEASE provide me a reference source for this data. I would really like to have the new purse. Do you think that after he pays me I should forget him? I mean obviously he is NOT a man of much character if he declines to pay on a bet. Thanks so much, Dr. Linda Kay Manager, Drug Information UHC Oak Brook Il, 60521 ---
**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 1999, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parthenogenesis-and-the-turkey/255/2 "1999-10-18T18:19:00Z")
I hate weasels who try to get out of paying a lost bet. Try here [http://www.newscientist.com/nsplus/insight/clone/virgin.html](http://www.newscientist.com/nsplus/insight/clone/virgin.html) Also, a more complete discussion by board members of parthenogenesis occurs [here](http://www.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000247.html) That’s where I found the first link. Good luck. * * * Livin’ on Tums, Vitamin E and Rogaine ---
**Author:** ![The\_Ryan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7feea3/32.png) [@The\_Ryan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Ryan)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 1999, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parthenogenesis-and-the-turkey/255/3 "1999-10-18T23:33:00Z")
[feigned shock] Dear God! You’re dating someone who doesn’t have unquestioning faith in Cecil? Dump him immediately before his heresy corrupts you! [/feigned shock] ---
**Author:** ![Cecil\_Adams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cecil\_Adams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cecil_Adams)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 1999, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parthenogenesis-and-the-turkey/255/4 "1999-10-19T16:16:00Z")
If this loser doesn’t want to pay up, tell him he’s going to have to reproduce parthenogenetically, like the rest of the turkeys. ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 1999, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parthenogenesis-and-the-turkey/255/5 "1999-10-19T18:09:00Z")
Ya shoulda took him up for the full $5000. ---
**Author:** ![curwin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@curwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curwin)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2001, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parthenogenesis-and-the-turkey/255/6 "2001-06-17T18:38:43Z")
bump – cecil post