The Beginning of the End, or the Start of a New Beginning?

More questions than answers. 

For years, that's been the goal for scientists and conservationists to  learn as much as they can about sharks. As their populations have dwindled over the years, biologists have been focusing on identifying the obstacles that these sharks are facing. 

But what if I told you we have been missing a key question about these magnificent creatures? What if they held more answers than questions? 

Can sharks save us? 

In a new scientific discovery, the answer to how humans and sharks can benefit from each other may be close.  Sharks experts may have uncovered the secret of the genes of these apex predators, that their DNA can help cure cancer and other age-related diseases. This discovery could be one huge step for the future of nature and mankind.

Photo courtesy of Natalie O'Neill

The published research was carried out by a team of scientists at the Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Research Center at Nova Southeastern University in Florida.  The focus of this study was to compare the stability of genes in both humans and sharks. The main difference they found was the vulnerability held in both types of genetics. The fact that genes in humans are relatively unstable is what makes us more vulnerable to age-related diseases such as cancer.  

Sharks on the other hand don't have that problem.  The reason could be that they have been around for millions of years before humans.  Sharks have evolved to a point where their DNA is able to repair itself, making them much more tolerant to damage.  This is a fascinating finding and prospect to cancer research.

Photo Courtesy of Rory Arnold

While this group of scientists hasn't found all the answers,  they have confirmed that the source of healing power within their DNA comes from the mutations within it. 

A mutation is a permanent alteration in the DNA sequence that makes up the gene and it occurs after the gene gets damaged.  The presence of strong mutations could be what helps them build up their immune system.  In addition, the genes of a Great White contain one and a half times the amount of information compared to that of a human.

During the study, Dr. Michael Stanhope, co-director of the Save our Seas Foundation, found that the genes of Great Whites contain a high number of interspersed nuclear elements.  These elements are supposedly what make genes unstable by creating double-stranded breaks in the DNA. This seemingly is an indication that sharks are more vulnerable to the disease.  However, Dr. Stranhope believes otherwise. He stated that this presence of interspersed nuclear elements could represent how these sharks have a strong selective agent within their DNA as a result of evolution. The fact that these sharks have evolved over millions of years is the most likely reason for how they developed such efficient DNA repair mechanisms.

One reason humans have failed to see the importance of shark conservation is because they are unable understand the importance as to why sharks are essential to scientific frontiers. 

Photo of Byron Dilkes

Scientists have continuously been trying to educate the public of how sharks help maintain balance in our marine ecosystems.  But, the shift to scientific research of their DNA and how their cancer fighting properties due to their evolution should be paired to the preservation and protection of these animals. It is now a viable option of study for the health and preservation of humankind.

  

Controversy of Conservation

Deep Blue. Possibly the largest Great White shark to ever be caught on tape in the wild, at 21 feet long. She first became viral back in 2013, when a group of cage divers in Guadalupe recorded her swimming past their cage. Not only was this a once in a lifetime experience for those who were in the water, but was also  For the next several years, Deep Blue flew (or in this case swam) low under the radar, until recently, when she made a surprise appearance in the waters off the island of Oahu. Video footage showed Ocean Ramsey, a shark conservation advocate, free diving in the deep blue waters while swimming alongside this 7-meter shark. As a strong conservationist, it has always been Ramsey's goal to inspire people to look deeper into the eyes of these apex predators, and find how they're majestic creatures that can tolerate the presence of humans. This however, is probably the reason for the recent backlash.

Many people have responded negatively to this issue, claiming that Ramsey's showing of fearlessness toward these apex predators is somewhat irresponsible, in that it may give people the wrongful mindset that it is okay to swim with these animals. This is another prime example of people not getting the message that someone is trying to convey. Personally, I don't feel as though Ramsey had the intention of making Great Whites look like harmless creatures that can be treated as pets in the ocean. What she's trying to say is that they are not always the aggressive animals that we would typically associate them with. However, this is only when they're in the right mood, and do not feel the desire for hunting. Experts say that Ramsey was lucky in this case, as this was probably the safest situation she could have been in with a white shark, most likely because it had just been feeding at the time. The problem with touching sharks is more than just the risk of being bitten. It can easily disturb the animal, causing a disruption in the way nature functions. That's one of the main things that people have yet to come to an understanding. If we leave nature alone and allow them to function properly, humans can function properly as well.

As far as my standpoint on this issue, I agree with both sides to a certain extent. I agree with the message that Ramsey is trying to convey, as far as sharks having a more positive side to them than people typically envision. However, I feel like there could have been better ways in which she approached this. People often get inspired by videos they see on the internet or on social media, and feel the urge to try it out for themselves. This is where people having common sense could play a factor into Ramsey getting controversy for her video. Chances are, someone who watches the video will try to go free diving with these predators in hopes of living the same sort of experience. But they need to understand something before they make these decisions. While it is true that 99 percent of all shark species are not dangerous to humans, that doesn't make it ok for you to interfere with their lives. And Great Whites pose a great level of danger. This specific species is perhaps the most misunderstood animal on the whole planet. Depending on the mood they're in, they could be either very aggressive, or very timid. Sometimes they can show express their mood by the way they swim. When in a timid mood, they tend to swim slower, with their backs arched an angle. When they start swimming faster, with their backs straighter, that's a warning sign that you should leave their territory. The bottom line is, if you're going to interact with these animals in their natural environment, it is essential that you take these precautions into consideration before entering the water. As long as we give nature the respect they deserve, they will leave us alone, and we can both get along well.