Does not matter. All these natural rubbers are very similar in how they work, you can find a paper on the polymerization in chicle here if you don’t believe me.

Yes really, still a polymer: it forms polyisoprene upon drying. You also find the stuff (synthesised from oil, yes, but chemically indistinguishable) in tires and condoms.

Also, chemically they are identical. Plastic made of a plant is still a plastic.

But no-one is hiring professors because they are good at peer reviewing. Spending time on research is simply a ‘better’ use of your time.

Counterpoint: https://danluu.com/su3su2u1/hpmor/

Probably, although there would still need to be some evolutionary pressure for forward facing eyes… I wonder what it is.