OK, first of all - is it possible for a human body to achieve real-time growth or something (as in height of the body/limbs, width etc)? For example, for their bones and muscles to grow right before your very eyes - how would that work? How would that be scientifically possible?

Leading on from this, but related to the above, could the implanting (whether accidental or not) of some extraterrestrial DNA into human DNA cause such things like the above to occur (I talk with the image of the movie Prometheus in my mind and how one of the doctors was "infected" with the black goo and "mutated").

In short, could some sort of mutation(s) cause real-time growth of bones and muscles?

EDIT:

Disregarding the bit about alien DNA, here is a clearer overview:

In what circumstances would real-time body growth occur? Say, for example, the lengthening of limbs and the skull? (Namely, for example, something drastic like 12 inches of height growth in a matter of minutes)

For example, for their bones and muscles to grow right before your very eyes - how would that work? How would that be scientifically possible?

In what circumstances is it theoretically possible for such obscenely rapid growth to occur? Would some sort of mutations (either natural or not) be needed?

I'm sure someone on ATS has a definitive answer for you.

I experience real-time growth on a daily basis. I don't think I have alien DNA, though.

"real time growth" is what you experience... it's... kinda slow. I think you mean really accelerated growth, something you can see taking shape before your eyes - like years in seconds - a "resident evil mutation or something.

Well theres stuff that accelerate the growth process of skin for instance in cases of burns and such... but to accelerate a full limb I dont think its possible.

And I'm no expert in Alien DNA... only in X-COM Enemy Unknown

When I was fifteen I grew from 5'3" to 6'1" in one summer break from school. eight inches in three months is very noticable. I only grew a half an inch after that. I was a little heavy before but that fat and the fact I ate like a horse those three months helped me grow. I was skinny as a rail by the beginning of September and nobody recognized me at school.

I'm sure that if you could stimulate this a person could grow fast and big..

Originally posted by rickymouse
When I was fifteen I grew from 5'3" to 6'1" in one summer break from school. eight inches in three months is very noticable. I only grew a half an inch after that. I was a little heavy before but that fat and the fact I ate like a horse those three months helped me grow. I was skinny as a rail by the beginning of September and nobody recognized me at school.

I'm sure that if you could stimulate this a person could grow fast and big..

edit on 5-2-2013 by rickymouse because: (no reason given)

I had a similar experience, only more drastic. I was 6'1" by the time I got of 8th grade and by my Junior year of high school I was 6'4". Now...right after I graduated I suddenly shot up from where I was to 6'11" in literally 2 months which caused me a lot of health problems at the time. I've always ate a lot of junk food but never gained any weight...Maybe I do have "alien DNA".

Oh yeah, and there were times where I thought I could see myself growing...so, not sure if what I said is pertinent to the OP.

It can't happen.

There are SO many reasons it won't happen that I can't list them all. You can't suddenly grow 6 inches or change shape.

Among many of the reasons - where would the material to do this growth come from? You can only process protein and minerals so fast. And "so fast" is in grams per day, not kilos per second.

Cells only divide so fast. And that's over hours, not milliseconds. So, instant meat isn't happening.

To make or alter bone, you have to de-calcify it, then tear down the cartilage, then build new cartilage, then re-calcify it. Bone is actually really complex - it's not just a chunk of calcium.

You cannot POSSIBLY restructure a person in seconds. It's a movie trope, not reality.