Mighty mice regrow organs: this could be a breakthrough

[survivor999]

Mice discovered accidentally at the Wistar Institute in Pennsylvania have the seemingly miraculous ability to regenerate like a salamander, and even regrow vital organs.

Researchers systematically amputated digits and damaged various organs of the mice, including the heart, liver and brain, most of which grew back.

The results stunned scientists because if such regeneration is possible in this mammal, it might also be possible in humans.

The researchers also made a remarkable second discovery: When cells from the regenerative mice were injected into normal mice, the normal mice adopted the ability to regenerate. And when the special mice bred with normal mice, their offspring inherited souped-up regeneration capabilities.

The mice, known as the MRL strain, were specially bred to develop lupus. But researchers don't know why exactly the animals' injuries heal so well.

More at:

http://www.wired.com/news/medtech/0,1286,68962,00.html

[survivor999]

1. This also shows how small tweaks can produce huge

effects in the phenotype... Basically, small tweaks via mutation can produce major changes in the way organisms function... It's evolution in progress... Now I wonder WHY the Intelligent Designer did not design humans to regenerate to start with??

[Wildewolfe]

3. Because

... without regeneration the desire and need to procreate and hense cause mutation is enhanced. A perfectly regenerating organism that never dies is a dead end.

[survivor999]

4. So, the Intelligent Designer did it to facilitate evolution?

Seriously, regeneration of parts does not mean immortality... Salamanders still die... Most likely, it has some side effects that are not evident, yet. Perhaps those mice will develop cancer very early on...

[valerief]

2. Holy crap. Another thing for the wingnuts to rally against.

They'll say it will promote mice promiscuity, because the restored mice will be attractive to other mice. If they were limbless, the attraction wouldn't occur and that would control the mice population.

"What forest? I only see a bunch of trees here."

[tocqueville]

5. good, I 'd like to regrow some parts of my body....

[Kailassa]

6. If we inject these cells into Republicans,

will they grow brains?
Could neocons develop hearts?
Or does it only work to replace an organ that was there initially?