Tasmanian deaths being linked with immortal devil
February 17th, 2012 - 7:34 pm ICT by Aishwarya BhattTasmania, Feb 17 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Scientists have discovered a frightening new cancerous cell which is contagious. The cell affects the Tasmanian devil and has so far many of the creatures.
In a very rare characteristic of a cancerous cell, the researchers identified that the cells can be transmitted from one Tasmanian devil to another by biting. Scientists are still studying the cells and they say knowing more about the cell will help to fight the current epidemic.
The gene has been traced to a female Tasmanian devil which lived about 20 years ago. The animal had the rare condition that affects the face. They estimate that the animal might have died from the condition without coming into contact with a man.
The death of the animal was however not the end of the story. The genes proved to be immortal and infected other animals over time. Scientists believe that all the Tasmanian devils in the wild are at risk and if no remedy is found soon, the entire population could be wiped out within 30 years.
There is no cure for the disease which kills just months after an animal becomes infected.
The findings were published in the journal Cell.
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Tags: animals, cancerous cell, cells, creatures, deaths, epidemic, genes, population, rare condition, remedy, risk, tasmania, tasmanian devil, tasmanian devils, time scientists