Nana: Now what are you glued to your computer screen about?

Nina: I’m reading the science news Nana, and you won’t believe what I just learned.

Nana: Great! So don’t bother telling me.

Nina: You can’t fool me Nana. You want to know, or you wouldn’t have started this conversation. Anyway, this is really important for you.

Nana: For me? I doubt it. I have one leg in the grave. What do I care about scientific discoveries?

Nina: But Nana, if these experiments work out, you won’t have to have a leg in the grave. Besides, you will be cremated, so you don’t have to worry about graves anyway.

Nana: Way to stay on point young lady. I’m not getting any younger you know.

Nina: But what if you could, or parts of you at least?

Nana: What does that mean?

Nina: Recent research with mini brains has shown ...

Nana: Mini brains! Haha! Is that what you have?

Nina: Very funny, Nana. Scientists have been creating mini brains and optic cups separately using stem cells for a while now, but recently, one research group explored the idea of eye structures developing on the mini brain itself. Isn’t that fascinating?

Nana: If by fascinating you mean chillingly creepy, then sure!

Nina: I knew you’d agree, Nana. Now, did you know these stem cells are also used to grow mini versions of various organs, called organoids, so the scientists can use them to study various diseases and experiment with cures? See, you can live forever, if each failing organ can be replaced by an artificially created one, or at least if every disease can be cured. Just hold on a little longer, Nana.

Nana: So I can watch you turn into Frankenstein? I think not!

Nina: Don’t worry. I won’t abandon my creation, if I succeed. I may be Frankenstein, but I won’t be Frankenstein’s monster. Besides, I think lab grown organoids are way more civilized than exploring graves, don’t you?

Nana: I can’t imagine anything less civilized than exploring graves, except perhaps a conversation with you. Hyuk hyuk.

This post is a part of the #NinaAndNana series I co-host with Lavanya Srinivasan. Her posts can be found here.