Can one evade death by growing or getting replaced defective organs? “Yes, in future,” says Rakesh K. Mishra, Director of Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB).
“We can make an organism live for a short time or longer by changing its genetic makeup. We can reactivate the adult stem cells and repair tissues. We can grow and replace defective organs. Therefore, it’s possible to make death optional in future. We could experiment on a fly and made it grow wings after intervening with its homeotic gene. This was made possible while intervening at the pupa level,” said Dr. Mishar while delivering a keynote address at GITAM University on Thursday after inaugurating a three-day national symposium on ‘Materials in Healthcare’.
During his 45-minute presentation, Dr. Mishra explained how appendages have been used by different organisms for flying, walking and swimming. “We have understood reasonably well how organisms developed from one cell or egg and how organisms have so many forms and a defined lifespan. We have also come to know what gene will define the life span of an organism. Based on this understanding, we can make new organisms of different shape and size,” he said. Dr. Mishra also informed the gathering that little changes would bring changes in the body of organisms. “We can predict the change and can do it too. We can develop genetically-modified organisms for different purposes. We can also develop antibody even in implants. We can make organisms of our choice and develop animal models to understand humans,” he said. The programme was presided over by M.S. Prasada Rao, Vice- Chancellor.
V. Venugopal, former director, BARC; V.K. Jain, Director, CBS-DAE, Mumbai; N. Siva Prasad, Pro-Vice- Chancellor; G.A. Rama Rao and others participated.