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Thread: Harvard University uncovers DNA switch that controls genes for whole-body regeneration

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    Harvard University uncovers DNA switch that controls genes for whole-body regeneration

    Humans may one day have the ability to regrow limbs after scientists at Harvard University uncovered the DNA switch that controls genes for whole-body regeneration.

    Some animals can achieve extraordinary feats of repair, such as salamanders which grow back legs, or geckos which can shed their tails to escape predators and then form new ones in just two months.

    Planarian worms, jellyfish, and sea anemones go even further, actually regenerating their entire bodies after being cut in half.

    Now scientists have discovered that that in worms, a section of non-coding or ‘junk’ DNA controls the activation of a ‘master control gene’ called early growth response (EGR) which acts like a power switch, turning regeneration on or off.

    “We were able to decrease the activity of this gene and we found that if you don't have EGR, nothing happens," said Dr Mansi Srivastava, Assistant Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University.
    https://sg.news.yahoo.com/harvard-un...180000109.html
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    Team Guns Network Silver 04/2013 alismith's Avatar

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    If this turns out to be true, and the EFG gene can be replicated in humans, then those who lose limbs through injuries or disease, will be able to grow the limbs back.

    That would be great. Think of the soldier who loses a leg, or both, to an IED. Think what a boon this would be to him/her.
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    Quote Originally Posted by alismith View Post
    If this turns out to be true, and the EFG gene can be replicated in humans, then those who lose limbs through injuries or disease, will be able to grow the limbs back.

    That would be great. Think of the soldier who loses a leg, or both, to an IED. Think what a boon this would be to him/her.
    But you must assume the lost limb would grow back as slow as the original grew?

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    Team Guns Network Silver 04/2013 alismith's Avatar

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    Quote Originally Posted by 1 Patriot-of-many View Post
    But you must assume the lost limb would grow back as slow as the original grew?
    But, the animals they listed as being able to regenerate body parts didn't have to wait a lifetime for it to grow back.....

    Maybe the EGR contains some sort of accelerated growth hormone, too, so it won't take quite that long to replace.
    "Valar morghulis; valar dohaeris."

    Commucrats are most efficient at converting sins and crimes to accidents or misunderstandings.-Oswald Bastable

    Making good people helpless won't make bad people harmless.

    Freedom isn't free.

    "Attitude is the paintbrush that colors our world." TV Series, Haven.

    My Spirit Animal has rabies.

    I'd rather be an American than a Democrat.

    "If you can make a man afraid, you can control him" Netflix Series, The Irregulars

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