Amputees Could Get Their Limbs Back – Scientists

Writer: Robert Valenzuela on Aug 31 2010.

There’s a new beginning for victims of war, accident or disease who lose a limb one way or another.

No more artificial limbs but the missing ones maybe re-grown instead.

An article in the latest issue of Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN), ACS’ weekly newsmagazine, has turned its sight to the ongoing studies to make re-grown human limbs a possibility.

Sophie Rovner, C&EN Senior Editor Sophie, says that there are creatures such as salamanders, flatworms among others that are able to regenerate detached limbs and organs, nerves and muscles.

But concerning humans and other animals, these regenerative powers are very rare indeed.

Skins and nerves are common regenerative occurrences in humans but a complete arm or leg would belong in the realm of miracles.

In the article it was discussed how salamanders, without the aid of actual magic, can regenerate an entire limb, and they with other animals are giving the right ideas on the possibility of human limb regeneration.

Specific proteins and genes, scientists have discovered for example, have a major part in re-growing missing portions of the body.

Certain environs may play an important role in body part regeneration.

One of these specific chemical found in amniotic fluids responsible for supporting the fetus before being born, may aid in the adult mammals’ regeneration.

Electricity is another possibility which is in consideration in providing a shock wave that may start regeneration process.

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