Engineering a jellyfish from a rat

Not joking. Researchers have managed to take cells from a rat and add them to a silicone layer to form a synthetic jellyfish that moves much like the real thing. The hope is to develop more complex organs that might be used for organ transplants in the future.

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So this idea is really sexy, granted. But if organs are failing because doctors have no idea how to feed people properly surely this is a complete waste of time

By bullshitexo (not verified) on 23 Jul 2012 #permalink

Pretty gimmicky. Any new science involved?

No Bill, just lots of geeks with lots of toys trying to justify avoiding solving real problems like proper sanitation and water supplies, things that can't be patented, far better to look all philanthropic and spray the population with a flawed vaccine like Bill and Melinda did in India with Polio. May even get to re- name a disease too. Not the same as naming a star galaxy, granted, but still an achievement all the same.

By buckthetrend (not verified) on 24 Jul 2012 #permalink

B_S_exo, I think you'll find 'feeding people' is part of the job description for farmers and livestock producers, just as buck will find developing sanitation and water supply infrastructure actually part of the job description for civil engineers and public health professionals, rather than bioengineers.