82
submitted 11 months ago by 58008@lemmy.world to c/askscience@lemmy.world

Could we, in theory, use something like CRISPR to give a new baby replacement super-kidneys (or whatever organ it is that makes drinking saltwater be a bad time)? It seems like if we cracked that, we'd be set as a species.

Thanks for your time.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] Everythingispenguins@lemmy.world 7 points 11 months ago

Well I can't tell you the exact gene would need to be changed, there are plenty of animals able to deal with the salinity of sea water. Basically the kidney has a certain ability to concentrate salt. The greater the ability the saltier the animal's urine is and the saltier water can be consumed.

If I am remembering correctly the threshold for salinity of water that can be consumed is up to a level just below that of the threshold of the kidney's ability to concentrate salt.

So we would not need "super kidneys" just normal ones similar to those of one of many animals in the sea. But we might have a shortened kidney lifespan because of it.

this post was submitted on 21 Oct 2023
82 points (97.7% liked)

Ask Science

8478 readers
86 users here now

Ask a science question, get a science answer.


Community Rules


Rule 1: Be respectful and inclusive.Treat others with respect, and maintain a positive atmosphere.


Rule 2: No harassment, hate speech, bigotry, or trolling.Avoid any form of harassment, hate speech, bigotry, or offensive behavior.


Rule 3: Engage in constructive discussions.Contribute to meaningful and constructive discussions that enhance scientific understanding.


Rule 4: No AI-generated answers.Strictly prohibit the use of AI-generated answers. Providing answers generated by AI systems is not allowed and may result in a ban.


Rule 5: Follow guidelines and moderators' instructions.Adhere to community guidelines and comply with instructions given by moderators.


Rule 6: Use appropriate language and tone.Communicate using suitable language and maintain a professional and respectful tone.


Rule 7: Report violations.Report any violations of the community rules to the moderators for appropriate action.


Rule 8: Foster a continuous learning environment.Encourage a continuous learning environment where members can share knowledge and engage in scientific discussions.


Rule 9: Source required for answers.Provide credible sources for answers. Failure to include a source may result in the removal of the answer to ensure information reliability.


By adhering to these rules, we create a welcoming and informative environment where science-related questions receive accurate and credible answers. Thank you for your cooperation in making the Ask Science community a valuable resource for scientific knowledge.

We retain the discretion to modify the rules as we deem necessary.


founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS