Could what was once a phenomenon only found in Starfish and Salamanders now actually be amedical breakthrough in American health? According to a recent article, last week in Texas, Army Sgt. Shiloh Harris underwent a history-making procedure that may help him re-grow his finger that was lost during battle. Doctors applied a special powder to what is left of Harris’ finger in hopes that the tissue would regenerate itself. The surgery is part of a large medical study of “regenerative medicine,” mainly being pursued by the Pentagon and some of the best medical facilities in the country.

The special powder, which has been dubbed with the name “pixie dust,” is meant to trick the body into re-growing the lost body part. Everyone is born with stem cells, which are responsible for growing our fingers, toes and other body parts while we are inside of the womb. Researchers believe that the “pixie dust” will create a scaffold that attracts the stem cells and convinces them to start regenerating the missing pieces of the body.

Whether or not the idea is science fiction driven remains to be seen, but doctors believe the procedure to show a great deal of promise. Researchers are watching Harris’ health closely to make sure that no severe side effects occur. If the regeneration is a success, it will be a breakthrough in the medical field of cosmic proportions.

Dr. Steven Wolf of Brooke Army Medical Center sees the possible potential that could come from this marvelous procedure.

“If we can pull this off in missing parts the next step is, OK, can we grow a pancreas? Can we grow and replace that in a diabetic? And can we do the same thing with a kidney and can we do the same thing with a heart?”

So what do you think? Is it science fiction, or is it a step towards providing wounded civilians a chance at a normal healthy life? Only time will tell.

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Tags: Health, Health News, Healthy Living, Uncategorized //