Hopeful monsters.

Prof. Mike Levine and Dr. Ed. Lewis (University of California, Berkeley) set out to isolate the gene that shapes embryo cells into organs and limbs. Dr. Lewis approached the problem by studying homeotic mutations in fruitflies and succeeded in isolating the 8 control (homeotic) genes which control the 8 sections of the fruitfly's body. They investigated a variety of creatures including humans and found that all had these 8 genes, showing an underlying genetic unity across the whole animal kingdom. The discovery of an organizer gene brought this research to a successful conclusion. It also opened a new field of investigation, for the organizer gene can be used to induce cell growth in damaged bones and may even provide a means of actually replacing organs and limbs.