The Science of Death

[Meem]

The purpose of medicine and health, is to improve quality and length of life, but can it overcome death? Is there scientific reason to speculate that it could? Death, as far natural goes, free of ills ... perhaps woe would still be there, along with our other emotions. Some which can even lead to murder still, but that would be an unatural death, along with lemming-itus or suicide.


If death could be conquered what would it be like, and by that, what would we be like? Is it even permissable to hypothsize of the possibility of science's triumph over death?

Is this comparable to "heaven/afterlife/utopian nonesense?"

In conquring death, would it be possible for anyone to conquer time?

[labelwench]

The purpose of medicine and health, is to improve quality and length of life, but can it overcome death? Is there scientific reason to speculate that it could? Death, as far natural goes, free of ills ... perhaps woe would still be there, along with our other emotions. Some which can even lead to murder still, but that would be an unatural death, along with lemming-itus or suicide.


If death could be conquered what would it be like, and by that, what would we be like? Is it even permissable to hypothsize of the possibility of science's triumph over death?

Is this comparable to "heaven/afterlife/utopian nonesense?"

In conquring death, would it be possible for anyone to conquer time?

There are numerous cases where intervention has restored life to persons who were 'clinically dead', and some others have been restored to health, even after unusually long periods of being in a coma.

While science may well learn how to add years to our current lifespan and mitigate many of the circumstances that lead to premature death, it does not seem logical, to my mind, that we shall ever avoid death.

The cycles of nature, while capable of interference at many levels, do not strike me as beeing asailable at the fundamental level, and for that reason I take a certain comfort. We may bring about our own demise, erradicate many species and otherwise mess up a beautiful habitat, yet in the end, life will continue with or without our kind.

Even more amazing that the system is flexible enough to allow for us to choose.

Our choices will only affect our own potential. Life will anew to replace us, should the need arise.

Only my opinion, as ever......

[austintorn@aol.com]

Harvard scientists reverse the aging process in mice – now for humans

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/20...ng-mice-humans

[labelwench]

Harvard scientists reverse the aging process in mice – now for humans

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/20...ng-mice-humans

An interesting article which suggests that we might be able to improve our quality and length of life, yet not without increasing other health related risks, as it is noted.

Repeating the trick in humans will be more difficult. Mice make telomerase throughout their lives, but the enzyme is switched off in adult humans, an evolutionary compromise that stops cells growing out of control and turning into cancer. Raising levels of telomerase in people might slow the ageing process, but it makes the risk of cancer soar.

There is always a trade-off to consider when we begin to dabble at certain thresholds.

[G_burnett]

"The Harvard group focused on a process called telomere shortening. Most cells in the body contain 23 pairs of chromosomes, which carry our DNA. At the ends of each chromosome is a protective cap called a telomere. Each time a cell divides, the telomeres are snipped shorter, until eventually they stop working and the cell dies or goes into a suspended state called "senescence". The process is behind much of the wear and tear associated with ageing." unquote http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/20...ng-mice-humans

this has been done for many years, very hush hush including a lab in Haney BC ... NY and Huston were the others. the problem has always been what do you do with the old cells and not the cancer which just needs the add treatment to stop the feeding tubes being called for and the balence established ... the baby deformity drug of the 50s. g

[Bogie]

"The Harvard group focused on a process called telomere shortening. Most cells in the body contain 23 pairs of chromosomes, which carry our DNA. At the ends of each chromosome is a protective cap called a telomere. Each time a cell divides, the telomeres are snipped shorter, until eventually they stop working and the cell dies or goes into a suspended state called "senescence". The process is behind much of the wear and tear associated with ageing." unquote http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/20...ng-mice-humans

this has been done for many years, very hush hush including a lab in Haney BC ... NY and Huston were the others. the problem has always been what do you do with the old cells and not the cancer which just needs the add treatment to stop the feeding tubes being called for and the balence established ... the baby deformity drug of the 50s. g

I couldn't get to the link you gave but I am aware of the telomere research though I haven't followed the progress.

But that is one form of research that could lead to a technique to periodically rejuvinate telomeres and presumably extend life, and why not indefinitely if the process was such that it could be applied periodically.

[austintorn@aol.com]

Since I have 14 cats, the life of mice would not be extended around here.