Homunculus - is it a reality or a myth?

Medieval alchemists believed that man can be grown artificially. Even the founder of pharmacology, a researcher of sciences and a great expert in medicine, Paracelsus believed that this was real. The information confirming that the scientist made appropriate experiments has been preserved.

Who is this homunculus? This word literally translates from Latin as "little man", but only those who were conceived, born and raised, are called by this term, contrary to the laws of human physiology. Is it real to create a living being with one's own hands? Let's understand.

The Legend of the Homunculus

Unfortunately, in the records left by Paracelsus there is practically no specifics. The scientist claimed that human sperm is capable of giving a new life if certain conditions are met. According to Paracelsus, it had to be placed in a vessel and sent to ripen the dung for 40 days. Another necessary step is magnetization (the essence of this phenomenon, unfortunately, is not clear). An experienced alchemist was supposed to lead the ritual. At first, the homunculus remained invisible, but soon acquired a bodily outline. And the baby was supposed to be fed with human blood.

So wrote Paracelsus. He did not leave the descendants with detailed instructions, did not describe how the homunculus looks like, what temperatures are needed for its cultivation. Probably, Paracelsus did conduct research in this area, but he embellished the result or deliberately distorted the facts.

The name of the scientist makes many believe in the reality of the experiment, but the official science is categorical: homunculi do not exist.

Theory of cultivation

Today in the network there is a huge amount of video, which allegedly captured live homunculi. Someone rejoices in front of the camera, shouting: "This is a breakthrough!", "We succeeded!", And someone is striking the shapeless mass with everything that came to hand, accompanying their actions with exclamations: "Kill this!".

In both cases, the authors try to convince the viewer that the result of their experiments is a homunculus, a moving living being. Someone goes even further, demonstrating in the frame quite recognizable caterpillars or even crustaceans with claws.

Such videos not only show the authors of amusing experiments, but also tell how to grow a homunculus. The most popular "recipe" is to fill the raw egg with sperm through a syringe and stand in a warm place for about two weeks. And for the process, neither sterility, tightness, nor strict temperature regime is required. Dosage is not indicated. It's strange for a scientific method, is not it?

Let's imagine what happens if a protein-rich biological fluid is placed in a nutrient medium and sent to heat. Will life be born of this? If you decide to check in person, prepare to find in the box colony mold, and maybe even fly larvae. As a bonus is extremely unpleasant smell of decomposition. But you will not find any little men under the lid.

Old Fairy Tales

The belief of man in the possibility of creating a living being was reflected in the epic. Let's remember how the Boy with Palchik, Thumbelina, Kotygoroshka were born. With a little stretch, you can count even Kolobok.

Fairy tales that childless parents have found a child using magical methods are in many peoples. However, this once again emphasizes that the homunculus is nothing more than an invention. Fairy tales for that and fairy tales.

Homunculus man-made

But those who dream of lodging a funny little man at home, have good chances. Today the market for hand-made goods is full of many interesting offers.

You can buy a figurine, a toy, an ornament depicting a homunculus and made of a variety of materials. Silicone reborn babies look quite realistic, as if alive.

As we see, since there is a demand for such creations, it means that a person really wants to believe that a homunculus is a reality, not an invention.

Virtual world

You can also grow a homunculus by using the application for a smartphone or a computer. If you really want to create a little man, do it with the help of modern technologies.

There are many games about homunculi. The player is encouraged to follow the charged magic composition egg or bulb, waiting for the hatching moment, or to collect the "designer" from different parts of the body.

Modern science gives hope

Scientists know that it is impossible to create a homunculus. But in some questions a person could already outwit Nature. Modern scientific methods of artificial conception "in vitro" give a chance to families unable to conceive a child naturally. The doctor intervenes in the holy of holies and, in fact, participates in the creation of man.

However, in no case should we not confuse the child conceived in vitro with a homunculus. These concepts are completely different. Artificial insemination is a serious scientific method that continues to improve. There is such a pregnancy as well as the usual: a fertilized cell is populated in the mother's womb, which subsequently develops into an embryo.