more gattaca: flatworm genetics hold potential key to limb regeneration

scientists at the university of utah have completed a survey of gene function in a highly regenerative species of worm (flatworms) that could one day lead insight into manipulating cellular regrowth in humans. flatworms have the ability to fully regenerate the rest of their body from a piece as small as 1/279 the size of the whole worm. after mapping out some of the key regenerative genes, scientists found that there are some parallel genes in humans that could one day be manipulated, though sánchez alvarado warns, "it would not be appropriate to speculate on regeneration of human tissue with our current understanding."

full article at wired news