Zebra fish may help to correct hearing loss

[gwand]

I suffer from progressive hearing loss so I found this article interesting.

Regrowing hearing cells: New gene functions discovered in zebrafish offer clues for future hearing loss treatments

While humans can regularly replace certain cells, like those in our blood and gut, we cannot naturally regrow most other parts of the body. For example, when the tiny sensory hair cells in our inner ears are damaged, the result is often permanent hearing loss, deafness, or balance problems. In...

phys.org

 

[GaryE]

Zebrafish give us a window into their regeneration, and Nothobranchius killies show how they and we age. These are great times to live in, although being around if there's ever a practical application of this knowledge might be better...

 

[MaloK]

-"Hey buddy... You have a fish in the ear..."

-"WHAT ???"

-"Bud... YOU HAVE A FISH IN THE EAR !!!"

-"SPEAK LOUDER, I HAVE A FISH IN THE EAR !"

 

[Archerfish]

Whoa, very cool. Sure beats the ole, "Huh, what did you say?"

 

[GaryE]

You know, if someone wants to go on tik tok, millions could be convinced to put zebrafish in their ears.

 

[MaloK]

When all this will come together. We probably wont be "human" anymore...

But another GMO in existence.

 

[gwand]

Gene and stem cell therapies are closer than you think. They are already being employed for rare single mutation diseases. But in a few years it will be common place. What color eyes and hair do you want your offspring to have? Just ask you aesthetician geneticist. Then fork over a lot of money.

 

[GaryE]

With my luck, I'd have long flowing zebrafish striped hair flowing out of my ears.

Can you imagine the tastes of rich parents being imposed on the bodies of their kids? The medical side of this therapy is exciting, but you know money will channel research into cosmetic things.

 

[gwand]

Yes. It will be a terrible chapter in our history. The rich will select for aesthetics and IQ. Did you ever watch the film GATACA? It portrays this possible future and the two classed society it can produce. BTW It was an excellent film.