Helping the Indonesian 'Tree Man'

A wart-stricken 35-year-old man in Indonesia named Dede who has what can only be described as gnarled tree trunks growing from his hands and feet is now hoping that an American doctor will be able to help him find a cure.

What caused him to grow roots? (See after the jump.)

Dede claims the disease started when he was a teenager as a result of cutting his knee, and he has since lost his job and seen his wife desert him. A doctor from the University of Maryland, Anthony Gaspari, says that the enormous growths are likely caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which is fairly common (though it normally causes only small warts); the doctor is hoping that the disease can be treated simply with daily doses of Vitamin A.

Questions raised: Would you rather have tree trunks on your limbs, or a large vestigial tail that couldn't be removed? Would your decision be altered if you could grow fruit? Would you date a drop-dead gorgeous woman who nonetheless had tree trunks growing from her hands?