Perspectives on human regeneration

Abstract

Regeneration is a concept that has fascinated humans for centuries. Whether we have been trying to bring things back to life, extract additional resources from the world, or remodel our living spaces—domestic and urban—it is often presented as an unproblematic force for good. But what exactly does it mean to regenerate a body, mind or space? This paper, which introduces a collection of contributions on the theme of human regeneration, explores the limits and possibilities of regeneration as a conceptual tool for understanding the biological realm. What does it mean to be regenerated? How can a scholarly focus on this concept enrich our histories of bodies, ageing, disability and science, technology and medicine? As a secondary goal, I identify two distinct aspects of regeneration—'hard' and 'soft' regeneration—which concern the medical and social elements of regeneration respectively. By recognising that everything from cosmetics and fictions to prosthetics and organs grown in vitro display a combination of 'hard' and 'soft' elements, we are better placed to understand that the biological and social must be considered in consort for us to fully appreciate the meanings and practices that underpin multiple forms of human regeneration.

Distinguishing regeneration from degradation in coral ecosystems: the role of value

“…This is made trickier by the emergence of novelty in some cases. Examples of processes labelled regenerative include: homeostasis, organism development, reproduction, growth of extra heads, replacement of organism parts with different ones, wound repair, forest regrowth after fire, reshaping of landscapes after introduction of wolves, and replacement of limbs with prosthetics (Morgan 1901;Johnstone et al 2016;Monbiot 2013;Stark 2018). The processes in this list introduce novelty to varying degrees.…”

Restoring Vision by Regenerative Medicine Using Stem Cell: A Review

“…The substitution of a defective part of the body with regenerative medicine applies to organisms to a certain extent than a precise system and re-establishment occur through regenerative medicine. Scratched and unhealthy cells, organ and tissue restore, repair, return and redevelop using regenerative medicine [12]. Regenerative medicine fashioned very hopeful result for regeneration in the series of organs and for vision cornea is translucent and allow the entrance of light into the eye [13].…”