Could this creature blind, toothy, hairless and about the size of a finger keep the secret of survival after a heart attack or a stroke? It's called naked mole rat, and despite of having a repulsive aspect, scientists believe they can give us important clues on how to keep the brain alive when oxygen is deficient. The key may be in how brain cells regulate their intake of calcium.
The African hairless mole rat (Heterocephalus glaber) is famous for survival in extreme conditions in underground colonies where there isn’t enough oxygen and the percentage of carbon dioxide is very high.
They are able to withstand extreme hypoxia half hour without damaging their brain cells. They have the ‘’hold breath’’ record. Interested in their incredible abilities, researchers from the universities of Illinois, have studied the underground lifestyle of these rodents, according to their findings, the rat can survive thanks to how the brain cells can regulate their calcium intake.
Could this be an important scientist avance? What is your point of view on animal testing?
Augusta Thoenig
This really came to a surprise when I read it. Answers sometimes can be closer than we think and this clearly proofs it. If animal testing is a way to cure our own illnesses I think we should keep researching on this area. This clearly is a sensitive issue to talk about so I would like to give my opinion in a clear way. I do agree with animal testing if it then has a benefit on humans and if the animal does not suffer, if not I find it a big mistake.
ReplyDeleteIf truth be told, I am very much intrigued by this small animal. If this small and repulsive animal has the key to solve brain infarct we should clearly investigate it. This can sound as it isn´t ethical but imagine if a relative of yours suffered of a brain attack. If this animal ends up giving us the cure to brain infarcts why shouldn´t we investigate it?
Surely everyone agrees that finding cures to illnesses is a remarkable progress. In my opinion the advantages of testing with animals clearly overweight the disadvantages just by the simple fact that we´re saving humans. By this I’m not intending to say that animals don´t have the right to live, just that humans also have this right.