“Can someone actually become their own father?”

That’s the question that stopped me mid-scroll one night as I was spiralling down a genetics subreddit. At first, I laughed. It felt like something straight out of a science fiction novel—or maybe a philosophy class gone rogue. But the more I read, the more serious the responses became, and I realised this question wasn’t just bizarre clickbait. It actually opens up a fascinating conversation about genetics, identity, reproduction, and what it truly means to be a parent.

So, let’s unpack this: Is it biologically, genetically, or philosophically possible to become your own father? Buckle up, because we’re heading into the bizarre intersection of science, ethics, and human identity.

The Biological Breakdown: Can it Happen?

Let’s begin with biology. From a purely reproductive standpoint, the idea of becoming your own father seems impossible—after all, conception traditionally requires the fusion of genetic material from two distinct individuals.

But there have been bizarre real-life cases that challenge this binary structure.

The Case of the Human Chimera

In 2002, a woman named Lydia Fairchild was told she wasn’t the biological mother of her own children—despite having carried and birthed them. Eventually, she was diagnosed with chimerism, a rare condition where a person carries two different sets of DNA. It typically occurs when two embryos fuse early in development.

Now, flip that concept.

If a person absorbed a sibling embryo in utero, theoretically containing the genetic material of what could have been a twin, and that twin’s DNA fertilised an egg—could that person be considered their own father genetically?

Dr. Barry Starr, a geneticist at Stanford University, commented on such a case in a Tech Museum of Innovation article, stating:

“Chimerism makes it possible for someone to carry two sets of DNA—one of which might not match their apparent biological identity. In rare cases, this could lead to unusual reproductive outcomes.”

While it wouldn’t make someone their own literal father, the genetic lines blur enough to pose the question.

Philosophical Perspectives: What Defines a Father?

Let’s leave the lab for a moment and step into the realm of philosophy.

Is fatherhood defined purely by biology? Or is it something more—a role, a function, a relationship?

In 2019, I interviewed a family therapist in London, Dr. Marcus Llewellyn, who explained:

“Fatherhood isn’t strictly about genes. Many children are raised by adoptive fathers, mentors, or guardians. These individuals become ‘fathers’ through action, presence, and emotional labour—not sperm.”

With that lens, the question becomes more poetic than perplexing. If you raised yourself—emotionally, mentally, financially—especially after childhood neglect or trauma, could you metaphorically be your own father?

The internet certainly thinks so. There’s a growing online movement of individuals, especially from difficult backgrounds, who describe themselves as “self-parented.”

As someone who largely navigated adolescence alone—working part-time, teaching myself how to drive, applying for university without parental help—I understand this idea deeply. At some point, I stopped being a child in need of guidance and became my own protector, coach, and critic. In many ways, I fathered myself.

The Genetic Engineering Angle: Could Future Tech Make It Happen?

With the rise of CRISPR and other gene-editing technologies, we’re entering a realm where reproduction norms may shift drastically. It’s not entirely absurd to imagine future developments where an individual’s genetic material could be cloned or altered to create offspring without a second donor.

Consider parthenogenesis—a process by which some animals reproduce asexually. While not natural in humans, scientists have begun exploring similar reproductive models in mice.

In a 2018 study published in Cell Stem Cell, Chinese researchers successfully created mice with two mothers—and later, with two fathers. While the latter proved far more complicated (and fatal for most), the concept cracked open the idea of single-parent genetic reproduction.

So hypothetically, if you had the technology to clone or edit your own genetic material, could you become both the father and mother of your child? Possibly. But would that mean you’re your own father? Probably not—unless time travel enters the mix.

What About Time Travel? (Yes, Seriously)

Pop culture has long dabbled in this mind-bending concept. One of the most famous examples is the 2014 film Predestination, based on a short story by Robert A. Heinlein. In it, the main character is—spoiler alert—their own mother and father due to time travel and a sequence of sex reassignment surgeries.

Is it realistic? Not in the slightest. But it captures the philosophical essence of this entire thought experiment.

What if identity, parenthood, and time weren’t as linear as we think?

Real-Life Emotional Implications

Beyond science and sci-fi, this idea holds emotional weight. Many people are estranged from their fathers or never knew them. In some cases, they become the father figure they never had—to their siblings, to their children, and sometimes to their inner child.

Lisa Feldman Barrett, a renowned psychologist, writes extensively about emotional regulation and self-reparenting. In her book How Emotions Are Made, she notes:

“The adult brain can reconstruct emotional patterns and responses—even those rooted in childhood trauma. In that way, you can ‘raise’ yourself again, differently.”

In other words, while you may not become your biological father, you can become the figure you needed growing up.

FAQs

Can a person be their own biological father?

No, not under current human biology. Genetic reproduction requires two distinct sources of DNA. However, rare cases like chimerism challenge conventional definitions.

What is human chimerism?

It’s a rare condition where one person carries two or more genetically distinct sets of DNA, often due to absorbing a twin embryo in the womb.

Is self-parenting a real concept?

Yes. Many people, especially those from traumatic backgrounds, describe emotionally and mentally raising themselves as “self-parenting.”

Could technology allow someone to become their own parent?

Future gene-editing and cloning technologies might enable single-parent reproduction, but we are far from making someone their own parent.

Final Takeaways

• Biologically becoming your own father is (for now) impossible, though edge cases like chimerism blur the lines.
• Philosophically and emotionally, many people do take on the role of their own father—especially in self-reparenting or survival scenarios.
• Technological advancements may change what parenthood looks like in the future.
• Ultimately, this question forces us to ask: What does it really mean to be a parent? Genes? Love? Time? Sacrifice?

Your Turn

Have you ever felt like you had to raise yourself? Do you relate to the idea of being your own father—mentally or emotionally?

Share your story in the comments. Your voice might help someone else feel seen.

References

• Barrett, L. F. (2017). How Emotions Are Made. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
• Tech Museum of Innovation (2004). “Can a mother not match her children’s DNA?”
• Cell Stem Cell Journal (2018). “Generation of Mice from Same-Sex Parents.”

Read Also: Can You Really Be Your Own Grandpa?