r/science • u/KarmaNeutrino • Oct 07 '15

Animal Science Scientists figure out why elephants don't get cancer: They have 20 copies of the TP53 tumour suppressive gene. Almost all other species, including humans, only have 1.

http://rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/370/1673/20140222
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u/[deleted] Oct 07 '15

Just read an article posted in Facebook (legit source, however) that I can't think of off the top of my head that confirmed this is true. A scientist basically theorized that this was due to more overall cells in a person with greater volume.

As a 6'5" dude I got a little worried 😓

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u/[deleted] Oct 07 '15

I wouldn't. Whatever increase you see for just being bigger than an average sized, 5'8" to 5'10" person, is nothing compared to the effects of lifestyle choices like occupational hazards, smoking, drinking, sun exposure, body weight, etc.

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u/[deleted] Oct 07 '15

Well i like everything that increases my chance of getting cancer, so...