2022 | 2020 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013

Questions and Answers: 2014

Question: Hi my name is Jeremiah Welch, i am 13 years old. What do you think about my hypothesis? Last year …

• Question

  Hi my name is Jeremiah Welch, i am 13 years old. What do you think about my hypothesis? Last year my science class went on a field trip to Catalina Islands Marine Institute (CIMI). One of the things we learned there was that seaweed has fast regenerative cells. So my hypothesis is that if you extracted the DNA from seaweed and made a hybrid from the DNA of lets say a giant sequoia. Instead of taking 20 years it would only take 2-6 years because it would have the regenerative cells in it.

  Answer

  Dear miahpow, creative thinking for sure. But I think you are confusing the ability to regenerate (i.e., grow back from harm or age) with the ability to grow very quickly. Sequoias need a long time to lay down all of the cells that will form the trunk, branches, and leaves. The ability to regenerate would not speed this process up. Further, genetic engineering frequently has unintended consequences that were not considered when the idea was initially formulated. Best wishes!