Future Ben

The Integral Trees This is the first Larry Niven book I ever read, and I have to say it was the best. Imagine 2001 meets Lord of the Flies. The decendents of castaways make their way through a world without gravity, the Smoke Ring. In just a few generations humans have already adapted. Without the compression of gravity, their toes stretch out like fingers, and their entire bodies are wispy and elfin. Damn I loved this book. Its sequal, The Smoke Ring is equally rocking. I remember wishing so fervently that I would wake up in the Smoke Ring and my own body would grow out to match that of the locals. Of course now we know that bones need to be compressed in order to stimulate growth, but who knows what happens in microgracity. Perhaps everyone who grows up in space will strectch out and grip with their feet as we once did. One day Ben. One day.

This if from the associated press: “Cy, short for Cyclopes, a kitten born with only one eye and no nose, is shown in this photo provided by its owner in Redmond, Oregon, on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2005. The kitten, a ragdoll breed, which died after living for one day, was one of two in the litter. Its sibling was born normal and healthy.” It looks too strange to be real right? For all I know it’s photoshopped, but the mutation is possible. The oddly named gene Sonic hedgehog or Shh is resposible for a crest of cells to come down, separate your eyes and form your nose. Mutations in the gene cause these sorts of birth defects all the time, just not so drastic. They manifest as cleft lips. In animals these mutations are fatal because the babies can’t nurse.

It’s likely that this kitten was a sport who happened to have non functioning Shh, but the most common occurence of cyclopism comes from Jevine poisoning. This chemical comes a plant veratrum californicum. It affects mainly sheep who might eat the plant, but the plant is also used as an herb to treat vomiting and cramps under the name Hellebore. Best to just ride out that morning sickness lest your child end up like this.