Mexican salamander may yield clues for amputees

reuters. ^ | Jun 17, 200 | Mica Rosenberg

[JoeProBono]

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Scientists are genetically modifying a bizarre looking Mexican salamander, which according to ancient mythology is a transformed Aztec god, in the hope its ability to regenerate body parts will one day help human amputees.

[JoeProBono]

Mexican Axolotl

[MAD-AS-HELL]

tell that to John Wayne Bobbitt.

[Jewbacca]

Dr. Curtis Connors already tried this to repair his right arm. Didn't end well.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

Amphibians, even totally aquatic ones like this one, can grow back severed limbs. That ability would certainly come in handy for me.

[GeronL]

It would be cool. Imagine growing a new kidney or an arm to replace one lost.

[stuartcr]

Has there ever been a recorded case of someone re-growing a limb?

[SwinneySwitch]

Axolotls ping!

If you want on, or off this S. Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me.

[Calpernia]

GGG?

[SunkenCiv]

Nope, but pretty interesting nonetheless. Thanks Calpernia.

[Jeff Chandler]

All this fuss over a salamander? Get it a tiny little crutch and forget about it.

[SunkenCiv]

Ping!

[Salamander]

True story:

In 1993, for some reason I can’t remember, I was trying to saw through something on top of my microwave with a [drum roll, please] Salamander brand straight razor.

The item in question rolled on the slippery surface and I cut the whole tip of my thumb off.

I wrapped it up [sans tip which fell on the floor and I couldn’t locate it] and went to the ER.

I got a tetanus shot and the dire prognosis of life with one shorter thumb.

Lo and behold, the tip grew back, entire.

The thumbprints don’t line up perfectly but who’s quibbling?....:)

[SunkenCiv]

:’)

[SunkenCiv]

[singing] talkin’ ‘bout regeneration...

[Salamander]

Thanks.
I’ll be humming that in my head all night, now ‘til it f-f-f-f-f-fades away.