Woah, fascinating. Of course very far out, but manipulating and regenerating human limbs in a similar way would be serious sci-fi stuff. Just impressive
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Until they try it on humans and it turns out it also grows cancer.
Finally we can all become Deadpool
Axolotls actually have unusally low cancer rates despite their regenerative abilities - they've evolved special tumor supressor genes that work alongside their regeneration pathways, wich is why researchers are studying both mechanisms together!
Then they just need to figure out how to use the non-cancer-gene from those blind naked African rats who can run equally fast forward and backwards, look like a wrinkly penis with legs and teeth and are friends with Ron Stoppable and we will have figured out a cure to cancer while regenerating body parts left and right. It'll be great.
That seems to be what they are trying to control. Just "turning on" the regenerative mechanisms is a fast track to a cancerous growth. This research seems to be aimed at understanding how to provide that mechanism with the chemical instruction of what to grow into. While we aren't there yet, each time a new part of that instruction set is figured out, we get a step closer to regrowing lost tissue. Living organisms are incredibly complex and understanding large, complex processes like growing a limb is going to take a lot of work and time.
Axolotls can't have cancer?
At this point, I'm willing to a genetic test subject. Worst case I look like an axolotl, but others will be one step closer to enjoying the fruits.
That's a great idea. A banana that regenerates when you cut it in half.
Does this lead to me getting a bigger dick? Otherwise, I'm not interested!
no but if it gets cut off for whatever reason...
Finally I can get my foreskin back
Oh hey I could get mine back and then get circumcised again just to piss off all the crybabies who want to sue their parents for having them circumcised the first time.
It will. It’ll finally grow back now.
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