Scientists eye possibility of merging human and algae DNA
Could man soon be able to breathe underwater?
It is hoped the same process would allow us to swim without coming up for air - just like Harry Potter in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
By Daniel Bates
Daily Mail
6th April 2011
It looks like the gillyweed from the Harry Potter films could one day be a reality.
Scientists have discovered a way for humans to potentially breathe underwater by merging our DNA with that of algae.
In research on salamanders they found that oxygen-producing algae have bonded with their eggs so closely that the two are now inseparable.
By studying the mechanism further, they hope that the same process could be applied to humans one day too.
This would allow us to swim without coming up for air like Harry does in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
In the film the slimy plant gives Harry gills on the side of his neck and lets him breathe underwater like a fish.
The real-life version however could work on a more fundamental level and change our DNA so that we are more like algae, which actually give off oxygen even though they are on the sea bed. Read more…
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