It was hoped that the condition would be due to a mutation, and that genes identified from this snail and its offspring would help scientists unlock genetic markers in humans and other animals.

He said that body asymmetry in humans and other animals could be affected by the same gene and that the research could help understand the positioning of organs according to genetic markers.

[20][21] Davison was quoted as saying: This may be the end for Jeremy, but now the snail has finally produced offspring, this is a point in our long-term research goal.

Ultimately, we would like to know why these snails are so rare, but also how the left and right sides of the body are signalled at the molecular level, and whether a similar process is taking place during human development.

[23] In July 2018, the research team at the University of Nottingham announced the arrival of St Stephen, a 'lefty' snail of the species Cepaea nemoralis and stated in a tweet that they were looking for potential mates.

[4] However, in some other species of snail, the counterclockwise shell-coiling is quite common, and in a few cases the more uncommon shell coiling is the right-hand (clockwise) direction.