No, this isn’t the tagline for the new Spider-Man movie; it’s an actual news story. In Germany, researchers have been working on creating human skin replacements made from the silk of orb-weaving spiders. Apparently, if provided with precise conditions, human skin may grow from the spider silk. Without toxic byproducts, and with a biodegradable formula, the spider silk would make a much more eco-friendly alternative to current skin replacement methods, such as petroleum-based formulas.
It probably wouldn’t be considered vegan, but I’m also not sure if it would cause harm to the spiders themselves, either. And it’s not really that new of a concept, considering that throughout history spider webs have been used to help cover wounds, as well as to make other human items like nets and textiles. Researchers say that the web as skin replacement looks promising for brain cell regeneration as well as for distributing medication to small, localized areas of the body.
Who ever said spiders weren’t helpful to humans? We can only imagine what else the medical world might be able to use spider silk for in the future. Hopefully they’ll be used to save lives rather than for frivolity. I cringe as I imagine the facelifts and silk Botox treatments…