Current Understanding on tail regeneration in Green Anoles (Anolis carolinensis)

Anoles typically will drop their tail in response to a stressor, and will drop the tail as a distraction for a potential predator. By dropping their tail, anoles are able to avoid their predators, and have adequate time to escape to a safer spot. The anole drops its tail at a muscular junction, where the cells can easily detach in a life-threatening event. Over time this tail will regenerate, but it can cause major functioning issues in anoles. It takes a lot of energy for the anoles to regenerate their tail, making this a difficult task when trying to evade prey in the wild. This research presents the importance of a gene found responsible to regenerate anole tails. Although these genes are conserved in vertebrates, they are not active in humans. These deactivated genes are being targeted to investigate whether human organs or limbs can possibly be regenerated if this gene is reactivated. This could have potentially thousands of life-saving medical implications if an efficient way to regenerate organs is found.

Link to article: https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/201608.0195/v1

Supplementary source: https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/lizard-tails-give-clues-cartilage-formation

'Designer Sperm' Inserts Custom Genes Into Offspring

The introduction of new genetic material into an organism via sperm results in the activity of the inserted genes in the resulting mice embryos.  Indicating that the new genetic material is inherited, the inserted genes were present and functioned in all of the three generations of mice that were tested.  If this process is successful in humans, it would provide major advancement in genetic medicine.  Diseases and disorders can be more effectively treated, or potentially cured at the genetic level.  In addition, human organ regeneration may be possible.
Link to the article
The prospect of preventing or curing illness at the genetic level certainly is attractive.  Many good treatments can result from the research presented in this FASEB Journal article.  However, when treating organisms, especially humans at the genetic level, one must be very cautious.  Any mishap will likely be permanent.  Also, this process may be positively used in preventing diseases and disorders, but it may lead to purely superficial gene selections in humans; causing potential social issues.