For two decades, the fate of the Tasmanian devil has seemed all but sealed.
A contagious, fatal cancer—devil facial tumor disease (DFTD)—has wiped out nearly 80% of the species, spreading like wildfire through biting and close contact.
Scientists feared the worst: extinction within our lifetime.
But against all odds, something extraordinary is happening.
A recent genetic study has revealed that some Tasmanian devils are evolving resistance to this devastating disease—and they’re doing it at a speed rarely seen in nature.
In just a few generations, the species is rewriting its genetic code to fight back.
Could this be the key to their survival? And what does it tell us about cancer resistance—not just in devils, but in humans?
A Rapid Evolutionary Response
A team of researchers led by Andrew Storfer from Washington State University has been analyzing the genomes of nearly 300 Tasmanian devils.
These samples, collected before, during, and after the arrival of DFTD, show striking changes in two small regions of the genome.
Within these regions, scientists found seven specific genes that have rapidly increased in frequency—a sign of natural selection in action.
More importantly, five of these genes are known to play crucial roles in immune response and cancer suppression in other mammals, including humans.
“We were hoping to find genes associated with immune function or cancer resistance,” Storfer told The Guardian. “And in fact, we did.”
This discovery suggests that devils are evolving resistance in real-time, possibly within just four to six generations—an evolutionary blink of an eye.
A Death Sentence Through a Single Bite
To understand why this discovery is so significant, you need to grasp the sheer brutality of DFTD.
Unlike other cancers, which develop within an individual, DFTD spreads like a parasite—transmitted through biting, a common behavior among Tasmanian devils.
This isn’t just a rare interaction. Tasmanian devils bite each other constantly. They bite during play, during mating, and during fights over food and territory.
With every bite, cancer cells from an infected devil transfer to a healthy one, embedding themselves in the recipient’s tissues and forming grotesque, deadly tumors.
Once infected, devils suffer massive facial disfigurement that prevents them from eating, eventually leading to death by starvation or suffocation.
DFTD has a near-100% mortality rate. And with no known cure, conservationists feared it would drive the species to extinction.
But something has changed. Not all devils are dying anymore. Some appear to be resisting infection, and now we finally know why.
Did Scientists Underestimate the Devils?
For years, researchers predicted the complete collapse of the Tasmanian devil population. And yet, the species has defied these grim forecasts.
Storfer’s discovery challenges the prevailing narrative that DFTD was an unstoppable force. Instead, it suggests that devils have faced similar evolutionary pressures before—and survived.
“The fact that a second tumor evolved independently of the first—this seems very unlikely to happen by chance in just 20 years,” Storfer told The Washington Post.
“That leads to speculation that this is part of the evolutionary history of the devil, and maybe they’ve survived it before.”
If that’s the case, then the Tasmanian devil’s genetic adaptability may be far more powerful than scientists previously believed.
Could this also mean that they don’t need human intervention to survive?
Conservationists have poured millions into captive breeding programs and experimental vaccines.
But if natural selection is already doing the work, should we step back and let evolution run its course?
What’s Next? Can We Use This to Fight Cancer?
This discovery doesn’t just offer hope for Tasmanian devils—it could have profound implications for cancer research in humans.
The genes identified in the devils are linked to immune response and tumor suppression in mammals, meaning they could offer valuable insights into how cancer resistance works.
If scientists can pinpoint exactly how these genes provide immunity, it could open the door to new treatments—or even preventative measures—for human cancers.
Meanwhile, the next step for conservationists is to determine how widespread these genetic adaptations are.
Can they be selectively bred to accelerate resistance? Or will devils continue to evolve naturally, without human interference?
Storfer and his team are now investigating how these genes function in resisting DFTD, while conservationists debate whether human intervention is necessary at all.
The Tasmanian Devil’s Fight for Survival
For years, it seemed like the Tasmanian devil was doomed. But nature is proving to be more resilient—and more unpredictable—than we ever imagined.
While the battle against DFTD is far from over, this is the first real sign of hope in decades.
If evolution continues on this path, the species may not just survive, but thrive. And in the process, it may help unlock new strategies for fighting cancer in humans.
So, chin up, little devils. You’ve got this.
