"There are Reasons Evolution Added a Time-Limit to Life" - The Dangers of Immortality

Elizabeth Blackburn, Carol Greider and Jack Szotack:  you may not know those names because they aren't on American Idol, they just did something silly like discover the key to immortality and an essential ingredient in curing cancer.  But don't worry, the fact Ellen is replacing Paula is really important too.

Elizabeth Blackburn, Carol Greider and Jack Szotack:  you may not know those names because they aren't on American Idol, they just did something silly like discover the key to immortality and an essential ingredient in curing cancer.  But don't worry, the fact Ellen is replacing Paula is really important too.

In true science-fiction story fashion the fountain of eternal life comes at a horrific cost.  We've actually had immortal cells since the fifties (and this isn't leading to an Area 51 style cover-up conspiracy): the "HeLa" cells were harvested from the cervical cancer of Henrietta Lacks, a Maryland housewife who died in 1951. Scan that sentence and you'll see that it says "immortal" but still sucks very badly for the person.

The key chemical discovered by the Nobel Prize-winning trio is telomerase, the cellular equivalent of a ticketing scam.  When chromosomes replicate they use use up one of their "telomeres", DNA sequences that give them permission to continue copying themselves.  When they run out they die.  When telomerase is around it gives them more, meaning that the automatic cellular shut-down systems stops working.

The thing is, cells don't kill themselves for fun - the reason evolution added a time-limit to life itself was that life only works for so long, to prevent flaws in the cellular replication process from continuing out of control.  Which is cancer.  Shut down the shutdown switch and you guarantee a tumorous future.

Which is why, in almost Star Trek fashion, scientists are instead using this incredible chemical to altruistically cure the sick instead of greedily grasping at immortality.  Instead of tinkering with telomerase to turn off the clock, they're training immune cells, designing drugs and concocting chemicals to destroy the stuff instead in an effort to cure cancer.

Besides, living forever by immortalizing your cells is an idiot's idea of immortality.  By that logic a properly cultivated sneeze could live forever, assuming you got the ejected cells included in the mucus into culture soon enough.  "You" are your brain and - as anyone with relatives will verify - that thing stops working after a certain age.  Can you imagine an eternity of asking "What's that thing there" over and over?

Luke McKinney

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/10/telomerase

In true science-fiction story fashion the fountain of eternal life comes at a horrific cost.  We've actually had immortal cells since the fifties (and this isn't leading to an Area 51 style cover-up conspiracy): the "HeLa" cells were harvested from the cervical cancer of Henrietta Lacks, a Maryland housewife who died in 1951. Scan that sentence and you'll see that it says "immortal" but still sucks very badly for the person.

The key chemical discovered by the Nobel Prize-winning trio is telomerase, the cellular equivalent of a ticketing scam.  When chromosomes replicate they use use up one of their "telomeres", DNA sequences that give them permission to continue copying themselves.  When they run out they die.  When telomerase is around it gives them more, meaning that the automatic cellular shut-down systems stops working.

The thing is, cells don't kill themselves for fun - the reason evolution added a time-limit to life itself was that life only works for so long, to prevent flaws in the cellular replication process from continuing out of control.  Which is cancer.  Shut down the shutdown switch and you guarantee a tumorous future.

Which is why, in almost Star Trek fashion, scientists are instead using this incredible chemical to altruistically cure the sick instead of greedily grasping at immortality.  Instead of tinkering with telomerase to turn off the clock, they're training immune cells, designing drugs and concocting chemicals to destroy the stuff instead in an effort to cure cancer.

Besides, living forever by immortalizing your cells is an idiot's idea of immortality.  By that logic a properly cultivated sneeze could live forever, assuming you got the ejected cells included in the mucus into culture soon enough.  "You" are your brain and - as anyone with relatives will verify - that thing stops working after a certain age.  Can you imagine an eternity of asking "What's that thing there" over and over?

Luke McKinney

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/10/telomerase

Comments

[Simon]

If "I" should be my brain, why do I (same as everybody)refer to it as "My Brain", considering that it should be conscious of its existence, being the "expression" of the trillions of neural connections? "I" (Cogito, ergo sum) "Am" a small field of energy that is conscious of operating the human body for a determined lapse of time (same as a person operates a computer), and am expressing myself by means of this huge and still mainly unknown quantic device which is the BRAIN. It is possible that "I" become conscious of my existence, once having gathered a certain type of knowlege in the course of my development. Then "I" become increasingly capable of the brain´s potentials; such as regenerating tissues and even influencing both my physical and surrounding environments... Most people become terrified when one presents them with proof about this being a fact and, if so, the future of mankind´s development. Does anyone have any proof to the contrary?

[Simon]

In my previous post regarding the brian, insert the word "understanding" after "I" become increasingly capable of..."

This should add to the reader´s undestanding oor increase his rejection of the reality.

[BigMKnows]

When chromosomes replicate they use use up one of their "telomeres"

More accurately, telomeres are repetitive sequences at the ends of chromosomes, and *some* of those repeats are lost during each replication, so the telomeres shorten. They aren't completely "used up". And when they shorten significantly, the cell experiences a variety of problems, leading eventually to death.

[sirald66]

Some of our oldest living humans would debate their brain has begun to stop working.

[AtlasWept]

Simon-

Your argument suggests existence is concluded from thinking. I suggest it is only through the acknowledgment of a phenominal experience that self awareness may exist. As such, existence is already assumed in order for thinking to occur. Perhaps there is a causality mandate overlooked in your argument.

Nevertheless, more compelling and convincing arguments have already been made by Soren Kierkegaard, as well as Friedrich Nietzsche.

My point isn't to offer "proof to the contrary", rather to offer friendly oppossing views. Metaphysics is not a science of absolute absolutes, rather a conditioned philosophy that differentiates phenominal nature (perceived nature) and true nature. It is the inter or/and intra discussion and consideration of existence, causality, and possibility.

Good luck and health to you.

[Doug Domo]

"thing stops working after a certain age." There lies the fall of your whole argument. If I can make my cells so that they are constantly re-healing, and with little to no DNA coding errors, then there is no reason why my mind wouldn't "stay Young" so to speak.