2006-12-11 05:47:40 · 5 answers · asked by pheonix9991 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
It isn't even necessary to genetically alter people. When we can grow limbs in tanks for the benefit of accident victims, we will then be able to add or subract limbs and other features as we please. Why wait to evolve in a random direction...? The Third Eye Detecive Agency could become a reality! Dry cleaners would have to be careful not to mix up shirts with two left arms and those with two right arms!
Championship swimmers would have their leg bones removed and their legs fused together to form flukes, webbing inserted between their fingers. Marathoners would have their heavy and useless intestines removed until after the race, plus they would be modified to run in a quadruped manner.
The interplanetary Olympic Committee would prohibit this, but the new Extreme Sports Leagues would embrace it. Eventually, some nation would field a soccer goalee that was a 2.5 by 5 meter rectangle of flesh, completely filling the goal (they would still be disqualified, due to failing to score during their test match.)
New dance styles would develop, to make use of an extra leg or two. Just like valuable antique furniture, some very wealthy might have totally useless limbs that didn't even reach the floor, for decoration. We could add other parts. "One for procreation, one for recreation!" (Copyright and trademark, 2006, so don't try to steal it!)
Kindergarden teachers actually would have eyes in the back of their heads. Who needs a rear-view mirror...? The poor fellow whose nose runs and whose feet smell, would be able to have them exchanged....
Married men would prefer the kind of ears that you can flap over and seal shut, for protection against loud noise in the environment....
Relax... Take a deep breath. Console yourself with the knowledge that we can't screw ourselves up that badly, yet.
11 DEc 06, 1919 hrs, GMT.
2006-12-11 06:15:47 · answer #1 · answered by cdf-rom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is the downside about making so much progress in genetics and embryological development, I'm sure you are joking, but there might be people out there who are serious about stuff like this.
But, back to the biology, we have established that genese called HOX (homeobox) genes are transcription factors that regulate limb genesis. So in labs, geneticists are able to induce mutations in fruit flies that cause them to develop limbs where there eyes normally go!
I'm not saying this is something that can be done on humans, but I am saying the potentia exists.
2006-12-11 15:18:28 · answer #2 · answered by Brian B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sadly it is VERY possible. They already experiment with gene splicing on on other species with great success. If "success" is the word for it.
2006-12-11 13:57:04 · answer #3 · answered by Scott M 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a mom , it would be nice to have a extra pair of eyes or hands.
2006-12-11 13:56:07 · answer #4 · answered by srstephens 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be someday. Thus far, no.
2006-12-11 13:56:31 · answer #5 · answered by kellykellykelly16 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋