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damnedifIknow

(3,183 posts)
Mon Dec 9, 2013, 11:13 AM Dec 2013

Science, Medicine, and the Cure for Death

Imagine a world where old-age is non-existent and humans did not succum to the trials of time. In such a world, everyone would stay young and healthy for all of their lives"

*Scientists have already discovered that a vital part of the aging process resides at the end of linear chromosomes in a region called Telomeres . These structures contain genetic material with vital information for cell function. However, each time cells divide, some of this genetic material is lost and eventuall through many cycles of division, cells become less and less functional due to this loss in genetic material. If Telomeres could be prevented from losing genetic material through each division, a large part of the aging process could be slowed or even halted.

Of course there are problems with this plan. The first being how would we invade a body's cells to extend of telomeres without disrupting the body itself and killing the person. I don't think we could just conjure up some magic potion to do this. This would require an enormous leap in the technology of genetic engineering "

http://archbob.hubpages.com/hub/Science--Medicine--and-the-Cure-for-Death

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Science, Medicine, and the Cure for Death (Original Post) damnedifIknow Dec 2013 OP
It would also require a dramatic cultural change. LWolf Dec 2013 #1
As cells differentiate to make up an organisms tissues, mutations occur. FarCenter Dec 2013 #2

LWolf

(46,179 posts)
1. It would also require a dramatic cultural change.
Mon Dec 9, 2013, 11:17 AM
Dec 2013

No more children, unless those producing them agree to cycle out to make room for them.

 

FarCenter

(19,429 posts)
2. As cells differentiate to make up an organisms tissues, mutations occur.
Mon Dec 9, 2013, 12:05 PM
Dec 2013

So you also need a way to keep errors in copying during growth and cell replacement from accumulating.

There are also methylation and phosphorylation states that may need to be corrected.

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