could we humans...???

[palomo]

could we humans get a special surgery to breath under water like fish,????,,,((everything is possible,,please be openminded!)))

[dozeydo]

If we could switch off all the genes in adult human stem cells AND identify and cut out the genes in fish that code for gills, we could perhaps insert the gill genes into the stem cell. We could then grow the gill tissue and implant it into a human - but the surgery to link the gills to the circulatory system would be a problem too. Also, how big would the gills have to be to allow a human (big) to get enough oxygen to survive in water like a fish (smaller)?

[Bev2007]

I heard of a military application where a oxygen-rich special liquid was developed that humans could breathe. So not water but liquid.

Now Im writing this it looks alot like an urban myth doesnt it !! :-) Anyone ever hear this?

Alternatively you could always swallow gillyweed.

[theprof]

Bev2007, it's not an urban myth. However, it's not ideal and I outlined some of the practical difficulties here recently:

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Science/Questio n367178.html

[carmelbaby]

It would be so cool if we could do that. Then I wouldn't have to worry about holding my breath under water.. I do wished that we could do.. What if we turned into fish? We would be weird looking fish. But i'm still happy the way i'am, but i'm not when i go to the oceana and lakes to go swimming.....