Immortal Delicacy
Red sea urchin 'almost immortal'The red sea urchin found in the shallow waters of the Pacific Ocean is one of the Earth's longest-living animals.
The small, spiny creature can last for more than 200 years with few signs of age-related disease, a US research team from Oregon and California has found.
The animal, which grows to more than 15 cm across, grazes on marine plants and uses its spines to deter predators.
'No animal lives forever, but these red sea urchins appear to be practically immortal,' said Dr Thomas Ebert."
Now, if a creature really were immortal, would it be ethical or not to eat it? On the one hand, it'd be one of the only forms of population control, but on the other... what is the other hand? It
feels wrong, at least.
* Ray, 11/24/2003 02:57:51 PM
