The Tardigrade, affectionately known as a “water bear”, is a tiny creature (only .02” long) found all over the globe. They love to hang out on moss and lichens. As the most resilient animal known, the Tardigrade has some amazing survival skills – able to withstand extreme cold, pressure, radiation, dehydration, and starvation that quickly kills most other forms of life. Tardigrades have survived exposure to outer space.

Scientists have been most interested in how the Tardigrade accomplishes such feats. They have discovered specific genes that create powerful proteins which cover the Tardigrade cells and protect them in extreme conditions. Using CRISPR gene editing, Chinese scientists have inserted these special Tardigrade genes into human embryonic stem cells. Usually such cross species gene transfers fail and are fraught with risks, but the early test results were promising. The human cells accepted the new genes, had no negative mutations, and 90% of the new cells could survive lethal doses of radiation! See video below for more details.

This is a vivid example of the types of capabilities that God is allowing humans to develop – and rapidly – that will directly reshape the future of life. Is the Church ready to help steward these new realities?

Toodling and Noodling, Stan