Comic books are full of genetic mutations. Only a handful are actually called mutants, such as Marvel’s X-Men. But many other characters have had their DNA spliced or altered, giving them fantastical powers.
For some comic book writers, vaguely defined mutations are the easiest way to explain away a character’s origin story. Kevin Eastman, co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, exposed his heroes to a mysterious radioactive ooze, transforming them from normal household pets to anthropomorphic warriors.
“There was some science, but very little. It was more of a comic book science I call it,” Eastman said. “(Other superheroes) all had mutation through some sort of mysterious radioactive exposure or gamma rays or something. You didn’t need to go too deep into the science to get there in a comic book.”
Eastman is one of the panelists Friday night at the San Diego Comic Art Gallery, which will pair comic book writers with local scientists to discuss the real science behind mutations, or changes in genetic code.
In the real world, children can be born with up to 100 mutations, according to Prithwish Pal, another panelist. He’s a senior market development manager for oncology at Illumina.
Most mutations are benign and aren’t noticeable. But some rarer mutations can seem almost like superpowers, Pal said. Rock 'n' Roll musician Ozzy Osborne had his genes sequenced several years ago, revealing mutations in his genes responsible for how his body metabolizes drugs and alcohol, according to Pal.
“Scientists don’t exactly know why, but they think that might contribute to him being alive in spite of having led, let’s say, an interesting life,” he said. “That could be a positive mutation.”
Eastman and Pal join KPBS Midday Edition Thursday with more on how science has inspired comic book heroes.
Comic books are full of genetic mutations. As the X-Men, a group of superheroes specifically referred to as mutants. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles both in new lease the summer. But could it be possible for mutations to lead to superpowers? That's a question you might not expect scientists to discuss but they will be tomorrow night and the event sponsored by the science center. The discussion as part of a series called crossover where science meets comics. Which brings comic book artists and writers together with scientists. Joining me are two panels at the event. Kevin Eastman is cocreator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Kevin, welcome to the program. Prithwish Pal, senior market development manager for oncology, Illumina Is also here. Thank you for having me. Kevin, for those who don't know, reminders held the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles got to be named in the first place. A group as a extent of comic books. That was my dream, I wanted to be a comic book artist when I grow up and my parents, when I announced it they said can have one of those kids that never was out of the basement. We pursued our dreams of them and vigor. One night I was sharing a studio with a cocreator of the turtles unamended joke as of the Presley was an animal, what would he be. I thought of trouble. We said let's figure out how to get them there. Expose and mysterious radioactive use, is the turtles are mutated in the chamber a Ratts minutes was also mutated and they became the teenage the ninja turtles. We think about science, fact or was mutation just a quick way to explain how they got their powers? There some science. It was comic book science. We grew up as Captain America, the fantastic four and the X-Men all had mutation to mysterious radioactive exposure. You didn't need to go to deeply into the science to get there. Once you are convinced you let yourself go. So the turtles are on their way. Prithwish, let's go to the science. What is imitation? It's when you have any change in your gene. We are coded by a string of letters called DNA. Any change to that and this could be a change in anyone of the letters of our gene or could be changes were parts of her jeans have cut away from different parts of our DNA inserted into another portion. Those are some of the kinds of mutations you can have. You are in oncology. It has imitation? Cancer is caused by mutations. Use the word mutation advisedly because there are multiple mutations that come together to cause cancer. At a known mutations that have a positive effect on the body? I'm not necessarily talking about giving someone superpowers but, can humans mutate in a way that makes them healthier? It could. They can have a positive or negative affect. They can have no effect at all. The mutation rate is about 100 to 200 mutations. Most are very benign. Therefore we don't see it. Interpretation has a positive effect or not is also dependent on how we describe positive. For example, they can be mutation in a particular muscle in a critical protein. If you remove that, you can get strong muscles. There are cases of babies being born with some mutation in the gene resulting in those babies having lots of extra muscle mass. Some of his 16 months old being able to lift weights like bodybuilders lift for the Like superpowers. In some ways, that is possible. Whether that's a beneficial effect or not, that's a different question. A few years ago, Ozzy Osbourne said had his gene sequences that he has a mutation in a particular gene that regulates the alcohol metabolism and drug metabolism. Scientists don't know why but they think that might contribute to him being alive in spite of having had an interesting life. It depends on how you look at it. I think I came up with a couple new ideas for superheroes. You are more right than you expected. Kevin do you turn to new scientific research for this track for inspiration? Yes. Whether it's advancements in robotics or ongoing characters of comic books. We always come up with something dastardly and fantastic we just heard scientists includes comics. Two comments are literature influence science? Yes. Comments uses a lot of imagination and scientists do as well. This is somewhere around the late 70s there was a Spiderman strip where he was caught by giving them the kingpin puts a bracelet on him to track him with radar. Not exactly the paper that was the inspiration for ankle bracelets. Some judge in New Mexico read the strip and thought this would be a good way to reduce prison population because lease some business but still track them. Not the most household item but it was interesting though something directly inspired from comics. One of the negative stereotype in comics and literature is the mad scientist. Why is that such an easy target? The old adage of a fine line between genius and insanity. It's a great stereotypical evil character that you can embody. It's a familiar stereotype used as a plot device. Some the comics and heroes and back is because you want to keep upping the ante and explore new technologies and advancements in science and ideas that you can bring into politics because it makes it fun and interesting. I've been speaking with Kevin Eastman, co-creator, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Prithwish Pal, senior market development manager for oncology, Illumina, therefore panels tonight part of a summer series pairing comic creators with local scientists will be at 630 at the San Diego comic art gallery. Good news, Hamilton is coming to San Diego. That's the smashed on a missile hit about America's founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton will take the stage as part of Broadway San Diego is 2017 1811. Hamilton is a record 16 Tony awards the Senate. Be sure to watch KPBS evening edition. Join us again tomorrow for KPBS Midday Edition at noon and TBS roundtable at 1230, I Maureen Cavanaugh. Thank you for listening.
