7 Awesome X-Men That Could Actually Exist (And How You Could Be One Too)

7. Wolverine (Regeneration)

With his own movie, compelling storyline, and a superstar Australian actor to portray him, Logan (aka Wolverine) is one of the most popular X-Men. Incidentally, he's also one of the most scientifically credible.

Wolverine is most famous for his adamantium claws (not a real metal, btw) that erupt from his knuckles. But Logan's true X-power is regeneration.

Although humans lack the ability to regenerate limbs, plenty of animals in nature can. Newts and salamanders are capable of regrowing their tails and eyes. Somewhere in the evolutionary process, the genetic ancestors of humans lost this ability - the genes are still there, but they just don't do anything.

What happens when we artificially turn on long-silenced genes? Researchers tried this on chickens, who along with other avians lost the ability to grow teeth around 90 million years ago. When the gene is activated, hens really do grow teeth.

Activating ancient genes can work on mammals as well. Mice with the Lin28a gene activated are able to regrow lost toes and tails.

So: Is it likely there are humans walking among us who are able to regenerate their tissues? It's scientifically possible, but by Shyamalanian logic, we won't know for sure until one of them loses a limb! As for adamantium-plated skeletons? That's one best left to science-fiction.