Elephnats may be able to save the future

In recent news, it has been found out that "elephant genes may provide a crucial clue in the fight against human cancer." This news came from the Ringling Brothers Circus. They are retiring their elephants due to all the controversy with having such big wild life animals in the circus. These elephants have been in captivity for too long so can not be sent back into the wild. They are going to be used for cancer research and to help pediatric cancer patience so they still have a purpose. 
 

Scientific research has found that elephants should be much more likely to get cancer because they have so many more cells then humans do. However, scientists have found that elephants have an extra gene that stops and kills cancerous cells and tumors before they form. 

Scientists and medical professionals are taking blood from the Ringling Brother elephants to taking the extra gene/cell they have out of it, to try and see if it will work for humans! Medical professionals are also considering to make a medicine that mimics the cell. 


I chose this topic to talk about because if scientist and medical professionals are able to figure out how to use this gene/cell with humans, it can change the world and the future forever. When you are teaching, It is important to help the students understand that medicine is a big part of science and so are animals. This can also show students that animals can help humans. 

Here are the links in case you are interested in learning more about this topic! 
CNN
PBS
Fox
Ringling Brothers