Highlander jellyfish

[aelf]

'Immortal' jellyfish swarming across the world

An 'immortal' jellyfish is swarming through the world's oceans, according to scientists.

The Turritopsis Nutricula is able to revert back to a juvenile form once it mates after becoming sexually mature.

Marine biologists say the jellyfish numbers are rocketing because they need not die.

Dr Maria Miglietta of the Smithsonian Tropical Marine Institute said: "We are looking at a worldwide silent invasion."

The jellyfish are originally from the Caribbean but have spread all over the world.

Turritopsis Nutricula is technically known as a hydrozoan and is the only known animal that is capable of reverting completely to its younger self.

It does this through the cell development process of transdifferentiation.

Scientists believe the cycle can repeat indefinitely, rendering it potentially immortal.

While most members of the jellyfish family usually die after propagating, the Turritopsis nutricula has developed the unique ability to return to a polyp state.

Having stumbled upon the font of eternal youth, this tiny creature which is just 5mm long is the focus of many intricate studies by marine biologists and geneticists to see exactly how it manages to literally reverse its aging process.

Link

The threat to humankind is not going to emerge from outer space, but from the deep. I say we have no choice but to welcome our new invertebrate overlords

Seriously, I can see why people would be very interested in this. Immortality, the elusive gift. But it can also have other implications. A relatively less complex species that just won't die? Why aren't the oceans already chock full of these? Or will they be in the future? That would have serious ecological implications. Have we found a species that is as threatening as us?

 

[GoodGame]

This is interesting that it has potential to out-breed competitors. I suppose a possible reason why it wasn't a risk before was ecological situations, e.g. predator populations being recently reduced due to human interventions.

I'm going to read up on this one.

 

[Masquerouge]

A relatively less complex species that just won't die? Why aren't the oceans already chock full of these?

Probably because a 5mm-long species is also easily convertible into what we technically call "food for fish".

 

[scherbchen]

well you can always eat them into extinction I suppose. other sea critters that is, not necessarily me -.-

 

[Mad Man]

Very interesting find maybe the fountain of youth was under our noses the whole time.

 

[Virote_Considon]

We need to find some way to harness this ability...

 

[El_Machinae]

Jellyfish are thriving in the current (and future) global warming.
And yes, we should be tapping this knowledge for immortality. I was reading a book yesterday which was talking about all the biological magic that's available in the world, just waiting for us to discover.

We're currently losing amphibians at a horrible rate (they're canaries in the coal mines), but the amount of science we could be getting off of these animals is huge, if we'd only keep them around.

 

[Chukchi Husky]

If you cut off it's equivalent of a head, does lightning come out, making nearby things explode and causing people to float in the air?

 

[Yeekim]

And yes, we should be tapping this knowledge for immortality.

Dear God, no. While this sounds fascinating, could you just imagine the problems we'd have with overpopulation THEN?

 

[El_Machinae]

Overpopulation is mostly a 'birth rate' problem, not a 'death rate' problem
And I'm unlikely to experience an overpopulation problem if I'm dead.

 

[Elear]

Interesting! Next time a jellyfish stings me I will blame these guys.

I'm with the crowd who isn't interested in immortality. Not for reasons of overpopulation, but I think it is simply right to "pass on the torch" to new generations, giving them a chance to grow, learn, and prosper. It seems like the natural order of society. I'm thankful that older generations realized that I was worth that opportunity.

And I'm unlikely to experience an overpopulation problem if I'm dead.

Well, yes, it wouldn't actually affect YOU... ...

I can't resign to that way of thinking. I believe that others value their lives as much as I do.

 

[El_Machinae]

I assume that people value their lives as much as I do, too. Not everyone, but a lot of people.
Remember, I'm not the one insisting the people have to die.

 

[aelf]

I don't think I'm interested in immortality either. I'm sure there are a host of problems associated with it. We're just not built for it and we'll take many generations to adapt.

I think I'll be grateful enough for a long and healthy life, that is to say a reasonable lifespan of 90 years or so. Maybe 80.

If you cut off it's equivalent of a head, does lightning come out, making nearby things explode and causing people to float in the air?

Don't some types of jellyfish deliver electric shocks anyway? Floating and electricity... We only need the exploding part.

Probably because a 5mm-long species is also easily convertible into what we technically call "food for fish".

Well, there is such thing as too much of something. After all, people can eat locusts, but sometimes there were just too many of them to manage.

By the way, who likes preserved jellyfish too?

 

[innonimatu]

I don't think I'm interested in immortality either. I'm sure there are a host of problems associated with it. We're just not built for it and we'll take many generations to adapt.

I think I'll be grateful enough for a long and healthy life, that is to say a reasonable lifespan of 90 years or so. Maybe 80.

Immortality is underrated around here!

 

[Elear]

I assume that people value their lives as much as I do, too. Not everyone, but a lot of people.
Remember, I'm not the one insisting the people have to die.

True enough. I interpreted your original comment as meaning that you'd have others die so you could obtain immortality. I re-read it correctly now.

 

[Cheezy the Wiz]

Scientists also think hydras do not age.

 

[Bigfoot3814]

That is very interesting but at the same time a little scary.

Also, I bet they'd die if you hit one with a harpoon.

 

[aelf]

Immortal =/= invincible.

 

[Bigfoot3814]

That was just me having a little merry fun about the forums.

 

[Quiet Sound]

Dear God, no. While this sounds fascinating, could you just imagine the problems we'd have with overpopulation THEN?

Solution! Those of us who do not want children are the only ones to be granted immortality. Fair trade, yes?