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There is much biology and sociology to be mined here. 

Body symmetry doesn't last beyond early embryology. The beating of cilia on the surface cells gives a circular pattern of growth signals and this produces an asymmetrical local environment of growth factors. This is what drives asymmetric development of visceral organs. This is way your heart is left of center, why your liver is right of center, etc.

Every once in a while, especially if there are problems with cilia function, you can end up with aberrations of development, like situs inversus, or dextrocardia (heart on right side). 

In terms of facial development, there are lines of study suggesting that, speaking evolutionarily, facial symmetry was suggestive of less disease, therefore, better genes. This is might be why humans consider facial symmetry as more attractive. 

The right left asymmetry and reversing the image of half making you look either happy/good vs. evil/sad.  There is also a tie in with facial microexpression

> Date: Wed, 5 Jun 2013 15:56:38 -0700
> From: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Facial asymmetry is more than face deep
> To: [log in to unmask]
> 
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
> 
> Hi All,
> 
> We have a wonderful exhibit that allows users to divide digital images of their faces along the midline and then recombine the face as two left or two right handed faces.  The differences are remarkable and semi-profound to experience.  The question of how and why we have inherent organismal asymmetry has long perplexed us.  Carl Zimmer takes a stab at explaining its recognition and origin.  It will hopefully add another dimension to your viewing experience.
> C
> 
> 
> From The New York Times:
> 
> Growing Left, Growing Right
> 
> Our bodies start out symmetrical, but then things start moving. How this happens (and how it can go wrong) is a rich field of study.
> 
> http://nyti.ms/18JHCik
> 
> 
> Sent from Charlie Carlson's iPad
> [log in to unmask]
> Cell 510-499-8086
> Try me on Skype (510) 984-3543
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> For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
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> Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.
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For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.

Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.

The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft. To learn more, visit
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