Welcome to a very mulltifandom blog. I've listed some of the fandoms I'm in (chances are that I've forgotten some though), just click the various buttons to find out things about me.
This isn't a spoiler-free blog and I rarely tag posts so be warned.
What an episode that was! After all the information we learned in 3x06, I have decided to devote an OB Science Time to discussing the clone disease.
The most exciting revelation for me was that the Castor and Leda diseases are really one and the same. The disease is caused by a misfolded protein, which can be referred to as a prion. The protein misfolds and disrupts function, and then causes tissue degradation. In the case of the Castor clones, the brain degrades, while in the case of the Leda clones, the endothelial tissue degrades, beginning with the uterus and then spreading to the lungs and other organs.
Unfortunately, the Castor clones can also transmit this disease sexually, as well as via blood. The women in the notebooks that the Castor clones slept with all ended up with the prions in their blood, and degradation of the ovaries leading to sterilization. Dr. Coady had plans to harness this sterilization ability and use it as a weapon to essentially wipe out enemies via sterilization.
Sarah, and of course Helena, are unique in that they are Leda clones that should have the defect, yet they are fertile. It appears that something in their DNA prevents the prion from attacking their bodies. This may mean that the twins could be useful in developing a cure, as their genetics may hold a sequence that could be used for gene therapy, or something about their biology could lead to a cure.
I’m excited to see where the show will go from here, now that Coady’s work has been blown up and Sarah and Helena have escaped. My ask is open for all discussions and questions :D
