Why is the human body so crap except for the liver?
4 hours ago
- The human body's fragility, except the liver, is largely due to evolutionary trade-offs to prevent cancer.
- Organs like kidneys and gums are fragile because high regeneration would increase cancer risk.
- The liver regenerates well because it constantly faces toxins and must repair itself, accepting higher cancer risk.
- The small intestine achieves high regeneration and low cancer via a conveyor-belt cell system with protected stem cells.
- Other organs like lungs and pancreas have complex trade-offs involving structure and environment.
- Modern environments alter the optimal balance of these trade-offs.