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Researchers Identify Gene Involved in Regeneration

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the growing-a-personality dept.

v1x writes "Researchers at the University of Utah School of Medicine have discovered that when a gene called smedwi-2 is silenced in the adult stem cells of planarians, the quarter-inch long worm is unable to carry out a biological process that has mystified scientists for centuries, regeneration."

23 of 134 comments (clear)

  1. mmm. by Renraku · · Score: 5, Funny

    Automatically regenerating veal.

    --
    Job? I don't have time to get a job! Who will sit around and bitch about being broke and unemployed then?
    1. Re:mmm. by Bacon+Bits · · Score: 2, Funny

      This reminds me of a fantasy character in one of the many books I've read (whose name is lost on me).

      There was once a goblin that had gone and eaten troll steak, and trolls are notorious for very fast regeneration. The goblin grew large and fat from having eaten the steak as it continually regenerated in his stomach and was continually being digested, but he also suffered constant pains as the steak also tried to get out.

      --
      The road to tyranny has always been paved with claims of necessity.
    2. Re:mmm. by Spudley · · Score: 2, Funny

      ...which in turn reminds me of the old joke:

      "Goblin's food is bad for his elf."

      --
      (Spudley Strikes Again!)
  2. The bobbits ;) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I will bet john bobbit will be happy when this is finally perfected on humans ;-)

  3. Cut and paste... IT'S GENIUS! by chub_mackerel · · Score: 4, Funny

    You're missing the point... Cut and paste the first paragraph, then wait. After a few hours, you'll have the whole article here where we can read it.

  4. Quick splice me some! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    When I cut off my head, I'll have a clone!

    1. Re:Quick splice me some! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      When I cut off my head, I'll have a clone!

      ...and a job in Sony Management!

  5. Re:I for one... by aussie_a · · Score: 1, Funny

    Well I for one welcome our genetically stilted quarter-inch long worms.

  6. Regeneration? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's okay, I guess. Quad-damage is better.

  7. Obligatory Doctor Who reference by Goobergunch · · Score: 3, Funny

    So that's one of the crucial Time Lord genes....

  8. a good old conspiracy theory by know1 · · Score: 2, Funny

    looks like the next generation of the bilderberg group/illuminati/freemasons/real underground rulers of earth - will be immortal, thus not needing to pass down the lineage of the family line. maybe the great dark lord will end up like krang from the turtles

  9. If only... by bumby · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...they would find the gene for quad damage too.

    --
    Hey! That's my sig you're smoking there!
  10. Re:More intelligent animals by Dominic+Burns · · Score: 2, Funny

    Dude - worms in Australia are 15 feet long, with massive, sharp, pointy teeth, dripping venom. No-one in Australia has lived long enough to see what happes when you cut one in half :)

  11. Re:illusions of you by Sam+Haine+'95 · · Score: 5, Funny
    you will die the same way as your grandparents.
    You mean I'm going to be cut down by Cossacks?
  12. Re:Cut/Paste? by NicklessXed · · Score: 3, Funny

    It regenerated.

  13. Re:illusions of you by MooUK · · Score: 2, Funny

    In my case, I will die of various different cancers, and also of a stroke. At the same time, I will still be alive.

    Possibly needs a bit more thought, eh? :)

  14. Hmmm.... by M45T3RS4D0W8 · · Score: 2, Funny

    I shouldn't have cut that finger off before I finished reading... :)

    --
    Security is but an illusion of the mind
    ~M45T3R S4D0W8~
    1. Re:Hmmm.... by StikyPad · · Score: 2, Funny

      At least you only cut off a finger. This guy took obviously thought sexual reproduction would now be a thing of the past.

      --
      https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere
  15. Finally... by azureice · · Score: 2, Funny

    My +2 Regeneration tunic can be a reality!

  16. RATS!!! by KronosReaver · · Score: 4, Funny

    So what are the chances we will now have Self Regenerating, Near Immortal, Fearless Rats??? Just strap on some inexpensive lasers, and have Bose equip them for all-terrain duty.... Build an army, or replace the family guard dog... Hrmmm...

  17. Re:Reality? by trixillion · · Score: 3, Funny

    Anyone who would choose no limb over a mismatched limb, has bigger problems than the lack of a limb.

  18. Wolverine by dskippy0 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Sweet, now we can genetically engineer Wolverine. All we need now is for someone to discover adamantium.

  19. Re:Reality? by rubycodez · · Score: 2, Funny

    now you've done it, when this regeneration technology gets perfected insecure males will be chopping off their privy members in order to grow A BIG ONE...