The Zebrafish that lives in the Ganges River could cure heart disease and stop the need for heart transplant surgery. The Zebrafish is a tiny fish and it can do something really amazing; it can renew hurt cardiac tissue. 20% of the tissue can be repaired in 1 week. Researchers at the British Heart Foundation are hoping that because of the Zebrafish, new developments can be made and one day it will allow the human heart to heal itself. There are many differences between the two hearts but enough similariies to make it possible. The Zebrafish has a protein in its heart called thymosine beta-4 which is what causes the growth. Drugs based on this protein are being researched now. It won't end heart disease, but it gives hope so people with heart disease can make a good recovery. Heart disease is the biggest cause of death in the U.S. so this could save many lives all becuase of a tiny fish.
I think it's amazing that this fish can do this and I think that it's good that they are researching and making a drug for people with heart disease. It's cool that people can do so many things and make new drugs to help peopl heal. I hope the drug works and that it really does help people with heart disease get better.
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