h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

This was a really informative and interesting entry. I had no idea that shrews had been around for such a long time. And I bet if scientists studied their backbone researchers might be able to minimize human backpain---which acounts for an awful lot of human misery!

Hi Elektra! Thanks for the comment. Well, shrews as such are not that old (though, probably at least 40-50 million years), they just happen to be very conservatively built. Apart from those other adaptations! I'm now actually not sure they use echolocation to find *prey* ... but they definitely use it to navigate. Anyways ... if we can reach the point where we can genetically engineer humans, I'm sure this design would be helpful for spinal enhancement!

Well I don't have that much confidence in human engineering, I'm afraid. Look at the attempt to privitize space travel---they've got a ways to go engineering wise.