• Question: could stem cell reaserch help give humans super powers and what kind of super powers could we get?

    Asked by we0are0slytherin0 to Matt, Anzy, Aoife, Dave, Tomasz on 14 Nov 2013.
    • Photo: David Christensen

      David Christensen answered on 14 Nov 2013:

      Haha nice question!

      Because stem cells allow us to regrow, regenerate and heal better by replacing dead cells, I guess they could give us 1 superpower. We could be like wolverine from X-men and heal ourselves very quickly. I don’t think we will be able to do this for a long-time to come though.

      I can’t think that stem cells could help us with other superpowers. Maybe the others can think of something else?

    • Photo: Matthew Tomlinson

      Matthew Tomlinson answered on 15 Nov 2013:

      Just to follow on from what Dave said, some researchers in the US recently showed that if you reactivate a gene in mice called Lin28 then you get extra hair growth, better wound healing and I think this was mostly in the claws. Kind of like Wolverine! You might be able to make artificial ligaments that allow people to jump higher using stem cells or create eye cells that see in the infrared range so you can see through things, but I highly doubt it.

      I think if science was ever to create superheroes then they be more like Ironman and Batman and be based on technology rather than biology.

Comments

  • Photo: we0are0slytherin0

    we0are0slytherin0 commented on :

    whats your favourite superhero then and would you alter yourself to be them if you could?:) and you guys are awesome

    • Photo: Dave

      Dave commented on :

      The Hulk was awesome in the Avengers film, but I really wouldn’t want to be him. I don’t think I’d want to be like any superhero – with great power comes great responsibility and all that.

  • Photo: Matt

    Matt commented on :

    Thanks, it’s always nice to be told you’re awesome! I’m quite new to the whole superhero thing (I was more into Star Wars when I was younger) so I’m more going on the recent films, and I have to say my favourite is Batman. The technology he has is so cool, who wouldn’t want to drive what is basically a tank?!? It would make my commute to work a lot more fun! I’m not sure I’d alter myself to be more like him, but having access to the R&D department of a multinational company would be pretty awesome!

  • Photo: gj12

    gj12 commented on :

    I really love star wars I have got all the dvds and also do you guys think Lego is awesome?

  • Photo: Matt

    Matt commented on :

    Lego is indeed awesome, I went to Legoland when I was 8, it was one of the high points of my childhood. My son now plays Lego Star Wars on our Wii and I ‘have’ to help him from time to time 😉