Could human cancer treatments be the key to saving sea turtles from a disfiguring tumor disease?
Wednesday, July 11, 2018 - 09:24
in Biology & Nature
Sea turtles' reality is very different than the fun-loving, playful way they're depicted in popular movies such as "Finding Nemo." Far from being carefree, sea turtles across the globe are heavily burdened by debilitating soft-tissue tumors. All seven species of sea turtle found in the Earth's oceans are classified as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered – and they're all affected by these tumors. They inhibit the animals' vision, feeding and movement. Combined with other human-caused environmental problems, the growths threaten sea turtles' very existence.