33. We Should All Aspire to Be Elephants
The TP53 gene, known as the ‘guardian of the genome,’ is a critical gene that helps prevent cancer by fixing mistakes in our cells’ DNA. Humans have two copies of this gene, and if one doesn’t work properly due to a mutation, it can lead to a condition called Li Fraumeni syndrome, making people more likely to get cancer.

Elephants, on the other hand, have a whopping 20 copies of the TP53 gene, which gives them extra protection against cancer. This abundance of TP53 helps elephants stay healthy and rarely get cancer, showing us how important this gene is in keeping our cells in check and preventing cancer from forming.