CroatiaAn unusual contagious cancer has been spreading among fish in Lake Memphremagog, located on the border between Vermont and Quebec. This is the first documented case of a transmissible cancer in freshwater species. Fishermen have noticed some fish displaying dark stains resembling black tar on their fins, jaws, mouths, and eyes. Scientists confirmed these lesions are melanomas, a type of skin cancer. While melanomas in fish are rare, one-third of the fish in the lake exhibit them. A study published in 'Nature' suggests the fish are infected by a transmissible form of cancer, which is extremely rare in nature. Unlike typical cancers caused by genetic mutations within an organism, this cancer involves tumor cells physically transferring from one host to another and establishing themselves in a new host. Analysis revealed that all cancerous cells were nearly identical clones, genetically distinct from the host fish. Researchers believe the cancer originated from a common ancestor cell that appeared in one fish years ago. Some experts suspect the cancer spreads during spawning season, though there is no consensus. Others suggest environmental factors like arsenic contamination may be削弱鱼
Bias read (Center): This article reports on a scientific discovery regarding a transmissible cancer in fish, which is a non-political scientific issue. There is no indication of political bias or framing in the reporting. The focus is on biological research and environmental factors, making it apolitical.
