Eternal Life?

[Wm. M. Betts]

Can science ever be achieved?

"The key to eternal life could be a procedure to lengthen chromosomes.

The procedure would allow scientists to lengthen telomeres, the
protective caps that are on the end of chromosomes and shorten with age.

The telomeres protect chromosomes from getting damage as cells divide
and grow. But as they do, they slowly become shorter and eventually are
unable to protect the chromosomes. When that happens, they are liable to
deteriorate — thought to be a key part of the ageing process.

The new process allows scientists to lengthen the telomeres, effectively
turning back the biological clock and making the chromosomes — and the
people that are made out of them — younger."

Read the article at:

www.independent.co.uk/news/science/eternal-life-could-be-achieved-by-procedure-to-lengthen-chromosomes-10020974.html

--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: ***@netfront.net ---

[Sylvia Else]

Post by Wm. M. Betts
Can science ever be achieved?
"The key to eternal life could be a procedure to lengthen chromosomes.
The procedure would allow scientists to lengthen telomeres, the
protective caps that are on the end of chromosomes and shorten with age.
The telomeres protect chromosomes from getting damage as cells divide
and grow. But as they do, they slowly become shorter and eventually are
unable to protect the chromosomes. When that happens, they are liable to
deteriorate — thought to be a key part of the ageing process.
The new process allows scientists to lengthen the telomeres, effectively
turning back the biological clock and making the chromosomes — and the
people that are made out of them — younger."
www.independent.co.uk/news/science/eternal-life-could-be-achieved-by-procedure-to-lengthen-chromosomes-10020974.html

It's unlikely that telomeres shorten just so that we'll get old and die.
After all, the longer you live (at least, if you're male) the more
children you can have. Any tendency for telomeres not to shorten would
spread.

It seems probable that shortening of telomeres evolved as a defence
against cell mutation, and in particular, against cancer.

Sylvia.