The Blob that Lives Forever

 A see-through jellyfish floats through the dark ocean. Its many tentacles search the water for tasty fish eggs. But suddenly . . . 

Snap! A passing fish chomps off a chunk of the jelly’s body. 

This jellyfish will soon be at death’s door. Right? 

Wrong.

A see-through jellyfish floats through the ocean. Its tentacles search the water for fish eggs. Suddenly . . .

Snap! A fish passes by and bites off a chunk of the jelly’s body.

This jellyfish will soon be at death’s door. Right?

Wrong.

This type of jellyfish has a secret superpower. Whenever it faces a serious threat, like a fish attack or extreme hunger, it can start its life all over. Instead of dying, an adult jellyfish slowly turns into hundreds of healthy baby jellyfish. Those baby jellies can grow up to do the same—and do it again, and again, and again.

Experts call this animal the “immortal jellyfish” (immortal means never dying). And it’s not the only creature that seems to beat death. 

Take the hydra. This tiny tube-shaped critter that lives in water can regrow body parts, allowing it to survive all sorts of injuries. And Greenland sharks age super slowly. They can live to be about 400 years old!

Scientists are studying these animals with one big question in mind: Can they help unlock the secret to everlasting life for us humans?

This type of jellyfish has a special power. It uses its power when it faces a big threat, like a fish attack or serious hunger. At those times, the adult jellyfish can start its life over. It doesn’t die. Instead, it slowly turns into hundreds of baby jellyfish. Those baby jellies can grow up to do the same. And they can do it again. And again. And again.

Experts call this animal the “immortal jellyfish.” (Immortal means never  dying.) And it’s not the only animal that seems to beat death.

Take the hydra. 

This tiny tube-shaped animal lives in water. It can regrow body parts. This allows the hydra to survive all sorts of injuries. And Greenland sharks age super slowly. They can live to be about 400 years old!

Scientists studying these animals have one big question. Can such creatures help unlock the secret to everlasting life for humans?

The answer, for now, is probably not. But these animals may protract our lives by helping us treat diseases related to aging. 

For example, understanding how hydras regrow body parts could show doctors how to grow new human heart muscle. This could help someone heal after a heart attack.

So while we might not be able to turn back into toddlers anytime soon, we may one day prolong our lives enough to meet our great-great-great grandkids. Unless a fish bites off our head, in which case we’d definitely be dead as a doornail.

For now, the answer is probably not. But these animals may protract our lives. How? By helping us treat diseases related to aging.

For example, knowing how hydras regrow body parts could show doctors how to grow new human heart muscle. This could help someone heal after a heart attack.

We might not be able to turn back into toddlers anytime soon. But we may one day prolong our lives enough to meet our great-great-great grandkids. Unless a fish bites off our head. In that case we’d definitely be dead as a doornail.