From time to time I’ve been known to suddenly, and at times without provocation, launch into what can only be described as a tardigrade tirade. Normally I am content on being the quiet observer, as I am an introvert. However, there are clearly certain topics one really should avoid when conversing with me. One such being that of the tardigrade.
What is a tardigrade? More commonly known as the water bear, tardigrades are marvelous microscopic animals. They can be found just about anywhere water exists and often in mossy or lichen rich areas. They have even been discovered in glaciers. So what about these micro-critters sends me into a tardigrade tirade?
Well first let me just say that I absolutely love these itty-bitty boogers! They are by far one of my favorite lifeforms! Therefore, I don’t take kindly to anyone subjecting them apathetic experimentation in the name of science. Due to their uniquely high tolerance to a great deal many things, these poor little guys have been put through a thing or two. Thus, my tardigrade tirades begins again, but this time in writing.
Oh The Torture!
Tardigrades are able to withstand extreme environments and radiation. Scientists have subjected them to boiling and freezing temperatures, dehydration, high pressure, and low oxygen just to test the survival rates of the various species under these conditions. They were also sent into orbit to see if they could survive the harsh conditions of space, and they did.
For this reason, I began reminding people that although these are technically hardy, and rather bizarre looking, microbes, they are classified as animals. As such shouldn’t they have rights? If we were doing these sorts of things to rabbits or rats wouldn’t the animal rights activists be horrified? So where’s the outrage and the protests for tardigrades?
I did make an attempt to professionally and respectfully contact the groups involved expressing my concern. It’s hardly surprising that I never heard back from anyone. Honestly, whenever I mention the subject to anyone they usual have a good laugh about it and assume I’m joking. While I do try to see the humor in it, I am also quite serious in my regard and concern for one of my favorite little animals.
The Madness!
As if they hadn’t already been through enough, more recent experiments have attempted to quantum entangle tardigrades. To test if whether it not it was successful, one tardigrade was tortured to see if the other would feel it. This is a bit like some of the experiments done to twins by certain questionable and unmentionable individuals. As a twin myself I don’t care for this idea in the least.
Now scientists are experimenting with tattooing tardigrades. In order to do this, the poor critters are dehydrated and flash frozen into a state of suspended animation, coated with anisole, and then an electron beam is fired upon them to form the tattoo. So far sources report this has only about a 40% survival rate for the tardigrades despite their tenacious endurance capabilities.
Also, as with most tardigrade experimentation, I was unable to find any mention or statistics regarding other factors like pain or notable behavior differences in survivors. This suggests to me that whether or not the tardigrades experience pain or any other sort of trauma from these shenanigans isn’t even being studied, recorded, or even considered.
When Will It End?
Is it because they’re microscopic? Do we just disregard them the same as we would a bacteria or virus? Again, although microscopic, they are still animals. Shouldn’t they have some rights? They do possess a nervous system and exhibit avoidance responses to unfavorable encounters. However, scientists can’t seem to agree on whether or not they can feel pain. Most likely this is due to the fact that most scientists simply assume they can’t due to their size and the simplicity of their nervous system.
To me this is indicative of the arrogance of scientists and their callous disregard for living entities, rather than a lack of sentience or an inability to feel pain on the tardigrades part. Perhaps before torturing tardigrades scientists should have put a bit more care and consideration into the potential adverse effects these animals might experience. Obviously this was just an opinion piece and I’m clearly bias.
I hope you found my tardigrade tirade informative and that it raised at least some awareness and concern for their wellbeing. Despite that, I also don’t intend to upset anyone and it’s okay to have a laugh at my expense. Even I have to chuckle at myself for how passionately I devote myself to keeping up with the latest tardigrade happenings and to keeping everyone around me informed as well. Like the truly impressive little water bear, stay extra, my fellow terrestrials!
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