Blog 8: Brain Worms

According to scientists at The University of Nottingham, they have discovered the gene that is involved in allowing the Planary worm to regenerate body parts, including its own head and brain. Planary worms have an incredible ability to restore missing body parts following amputation. They are equipped with stem cells that are endlessly dividing and can become the missing cell types. Their genes make sure that the new body parts are in the right place, having the correct size and shape. These specific genes are called ‘Smed-prep’ and they are necessary for organizing the entire process of the generation of new parts.

The Planary worm is vital as a source of study in the field of science that involves regenerative medicine. Another piece of understanding about the regeneration process may be brought about by the study of these worms. This may enable scientists and doctors to one day be able to apply their new-found knowledge towards the betterment of the human race. People who have old, damaged, diseased or severed body parts, including their head may be able to be fixed in a safe and productive manner.

Blog 7: Weismann, Chapters 2 and 3

In Weismann, Chapters 2 and 3, the reader is introduced to an unfamiliar event from the very first sentence when Weismann writes about life without humans. We all may have thought about this before, but Weismann tells us exactly what will happen when all humans become extinct. He explains that right now, we are all at battle with nature in our everyday lives. We constantly have to remove weeds and unwanted plants, try to get rid of insects, small animals and water which invade our homes. But when we are gone there will be no more resistance to nature’s forces. Wind, rain, snow and other natural occurrences will cause our manmade construction to wither away. Animals will occupy our land, insects will chew on our wooden walls and floors, and grass and plants will cover all traces of our existence.

In this article, Weismann goes into great depth about the specific details of what earth will look like over periods of time that humans are extinct. It’s almost unimaginable to envision New York City without sky scrapers and modernity encompassing its entire body. But imagine how it looked before all of this. What had pioneers wondered when they looked at the uninhibited land of what is now New York. They surely didn’t imagine the New York of today but it’s even crazier to think it could all be reversed. The millions of hours spent building and maintaining all for nothing. It puts our lives into perspective because it seems as if no matter what we do, we’ll never be able to make a lasting difference in the world. All of our efforts will be wasted and that gives Weismann’s article a gloomy, depressing mood.