Scientists identify gene to live to 100

[TRUEYOUTRUEME]

Researchers studying a group of people with an average age of 97 found they had all inherited a gene that appears to prevent cells ageing.

They found that the 86 people studied and their children had higher levels of an enzyme called telomerase which is known to protect the body's DNA from degrading.

The team from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, who studied an American Ashkenazi Jewish community, said that the finding could lead to anti-aging drugs.

Telomerase is known to protect telomeres which stop the string of DNA unravelling much like the plastic tips at the ends of shoelaces stop fraying.

Read more...

Life Extension possible through genetic manipulation?

Boosting telomerase can slow down old age.

Anyone have any experiences with this?

[Torgo]

The problem with extra telomerase: the overall low level of expression in the general population has evolved through evolutionary pressure. Why? Two things. One, living past reproductive age is very difficult to be selected for. Two, telomerase activity is a prerequisite for cancer growth. In any sample of people who live very long, you probably will have the boosted telomerase activity... but there's probably a lot more people who had this boosted telomerase activity and died young of cancer. Some will always beat the odds and live longer, but facts of cancer biology are facts.

Edited November 16, 2009 by Torgo

[Universal Sight]

No thanks. Ill just go when its my time. There is no way i would even want to live to be 100 or 200. Just too much. This will most likely be for those in high power to have and enjoy rather than any "normal" human on Earth.

Overpopulation is the other reason it shouldnt even be worked on. With all the vaccines and detered natural selection, its no wonder that the Earth is getting out of balance.

[WoIverine]

Resveratrol, combo that with Rapamycin (it's prescription based) Zinc, Vitamin C, and a Methionine restricted diet. You'd live till you were 200.

[chemical-licker]

100 years :no::no::no::no::no::no::no: no thank you

Get me off this crazy ride:yes::yes:

[keithisco]

I just want to live long enough to see the promise of Space flight to other planets become a reality, or some of the more spectacular and improbable cryptids proven to be real. Wait, Wait!! AND the Bilderberg Group get their just desserts AND ALL politicians get whats coming to them. Too much do you think?

[:PsYKoTiC:BeHAvIoR:]

100 years :no::no::no::no::no::no::no: no thank you

Get me off this crazy ride:yes::yes:

This reminds me of Denis Leary.

"It's the wheelchair, kidney dialysis, adult diaper ****ing years. You can have those years! We don't want 'em, alright?"

Although this was aimed about the effects of cigarette use, still classic.

Edited November 16, 2009 by :PsYKoTiC:BeHAvIoR:

[behaviour???]

I just want to live long enough to see the promise of Space flight to other planets become a reality, or some of the more spectacular and improbable cryptids proven to be real. Wait, Wait!! AND the Bilderberg Group get their just desserts AND ALL politicians get whats coming to them. Too much do you think?

Thats too much and I dont think the first and second is anywhere close to happen in the near 100 years

Thanks

B???

[MysteryVy]

i'm down

[Cookes453]

Over-population is not a good excuse, especially when it can be solved by colonizing other planets. Our mineral and energy needs can also be solved by colonizing/mining other planets. A lot of Earthly problems can be solved by moving into space; we as a species just need a deeper desire to do so. If people could live for centuries, and still remain young and healthy, then I'm sure many people wouldn't mind.

Edited November 16, 2009 by Cookes453

[Der]

Over-population is not a good excuse, especially when it can be solved by colonizing other planets. Our mineral and energy needs can also be solved by colonizing/mining other planets. A lot of Earthly problems can be solved by moving into space; we as a species just need a deeper desire to do so. If people could live for centuries, and still remain young and healthy, then I'm sure many people wouldn't mind.

This.

Humanity wouldn't have gotten anywhere if scientists had taken the close-minded "That will cause problems so just forget about it!" stance that many seem to take whenever science is making major advances that will bring change. Science is about looking for solutions whenever problems arise, not about giving up right away.

Edited November 16, 2009 by Der

[ShaunZero]

No thanks. Ill just go when its my time. There is no way i would even want to live to be 100 or 200. Just too much. This will most likely be for those in high power to have and enjoy rather than any "normal" human on Earth.

Overpopulation is the other reason it shouldnt even be worked on. With all the vaccines and detered natural selection, its no wonder that the Earth is getting out of balance.

When it comes to prolonging life, or even making humans "immortal", you will always have to make a seemingly immoral decision. Either 1.) You have to let everyone know that you've discovered immortality, but refuse to give it to even those who are very fearful of death, or 2.) Give it to the people, though either force an anti-pregnancy scheme or choose x amount of people to be rid of every so often. I don't see how one could work it out in fairness. It'd probably be best to not allow anyone to take it, but I couldn't swallow that because my #1 fear is death. I'd rather a method that prevents anymore birth after x amount of population and have strict penalties for anyone breaking this law.

When it comes to life, I say we need to make some type of compensation. The main goal for alot of people like me is to enjoy life and live as long as I possibly can. If I have to live 200+ years in a hugely overpopulated area, fine I'll take it over death anyday.

Edited November 16, 2009 by ShaunZero

[MysteryVy]

When it comes to prolonging life, or even making humans "immortal", you will always have to make a seemingly immoral decision. Either 1.) You have to let everyone know that you've discovered immortality, but refuse to give it to even those who are very fearful of death, or 2.) Give it to the people, though either force an anti-pregnancy scheme or choose x amount of people to be rid of every so often. I don't see how one could work it out in fairness. It'd probably be best to not allow anyone to take it, but I couldn't swallow that because my #1 fear is death. I'd rather a method that prevents anymore birth after x amount of population and have strict penalties for anyone breaking this law.

When it comes to life, I say we need to make some type of compensation. The main goal for alot of people like me is to enjoy life and live as long as I possibly can. If I have to live 200+ years in a hugely overpopulated area, fine I'll take it over death anyday.

judging from the way you speak, you don't see things in an economical standpoint nor are familiar with the basic concept of supply and demand.

[brlesq1]

No way would I want to live that long.

[ShaunZero]

judging from the way you speak, you don't see things in an economical standpoint nor are familiar with the basic concept of supply and demand.

Enlighten me, otherwise what's the point of pointing that out? Either way, this is a major emotional issue. Life is the most valuable thing in existence in my opinion, and I'd take the drug if I had to steal it, regardless.

If such a thing would be created, I think we should strive to make as much as possible and give it out as much as possible. It's not fair to give it to a select few just because they're more wealthy, this is life we are speaking of. It's almost like saving someone's life over another person's based on their financial situation. Either no one gets it, or everyone gets it.

EDIT: I also bet that most who are saying they don't want to live that long have some sort of slight belief in life after death. Because believing that when I die it's "the end", causes me to strive to live as long as possible.

Edited November 17, 2009 by ShaunZero

[Metal Angel]

What an interesting finding. But I'm not sure I want to be 100 and in a wheelchair using adult diapers.

[Deceiver]

I really don't get people that say "I don't want to live that long" or something along those lines. And why is this exactly? The only excuse I can think of is religion or simply because you don't have any imagination?

Lets say you and all your loved ones could live forever, young, fit, free of disease etc, you wouldn't take it? Maybe you just have a miserable life...I don't know.

The possibilities are endeless, there's a whole universe to explore for starters... I want to do so many things that I won't be able to do in my short human life span. So sign me up to live longer...

And yes overpopulation can easily be solved, other posters already gave ideas, etc. And yes I'm talking about immortality here, but it seems some people don't even want to live to 100.

And you say natural selection? Lol...Ok. Next time don't take any medicine when your health is in danger. So you can die for your precious natural selection and save the world from over populating!

Edited November 17, 2009 by Deceiver

[Sag!ttarius]

I really don't get people that say "I don't want to live that long" or something along those lines. And why is this exactly? The only excuse I can think of is religion or simply because you don't have any imagination?

Lets say you and all your loved ones could live forever, young, fit, free of disease etc, you wouldn't take it? Maybe you just have a miserable life...I don't know.

The possibilities are endeless, there's a whole universe to explore for starters... I want to do so many things that I won't be able to do in my short human life span. So sign me up to live longer...

And yes overpopulation can easily be solved, other posters already gave ideas, etc. And yes I'm talking about immortality here, but it seems some people don't even want to live to 100.

And you say natural selection? Lol...Ok. Next time don't take any medicine when your health is in danger. So you can die for your precious natural selection and save the world from over populating!

My life is quite happy and filled. So many experiences/travels/memories, but **** NO, I don't want to live past my normal time. Even if they figured out how to make me or my whole family live 1000's of years healthy/young. 41 years old, and I'm ready to go "home", not stay here for another 100 years. 80 and I call it quits, no matter what anybody says to get me to rethink my position. "I did my time", as my favorite band sings...

[ShaunZero]

I really don't get people that say "I don't want to live that long" or something along those lines. And why is this exactly? The only excuse I can think of is religion or simply because you don't have any imagination?

Lets say you and all your loved ones could live forever, young, fit, free of disease etc, you wouldn't take it? Maybe you just have a miserable life...I don't know.

The possibilities are endeless, there's a whole universe to explore for starters... I want to do so many things that I won't be able to do in my short human life span. So sign me up to live longer...

And yes overpopulation can easily be solved, other posters already gave ideas, etc. And yes I'm talking about immortality here, but it seems some people don't even want to live to 100.

And you say natural selection? Lol...Ok. Next time don't take any medicine when your health is in danger. So you can die for your precious natural selection and save the world from over populating!

I agree completely. There's no way in hell I'd turn something like that down. Some say you'd get bored with life after a certain amount of time, but I say bull. Some things never get old, and there would be SO many things to do that once you get done doing the "last", the first would become like new again.

[WoIverine]

I agree completely. There's no way in hell I'd turn something like that down. Some say you'd get bored with life after a certain amount of time, but I say bull. Some things never get old, and there would be SO many things to do that once you get done doing the "last", the first would become like new again.

Immortality all the way. I don't ever want to die. I don't want kids, so hell, sterilize me as long as I get my live forever pill. Eventually humanity will take to the stars if we survive, there's a whole universe to explore and experience, how could anyone turn that down?

[Der]

I really don't get people that say "I don't want to live that long" or something along those lines. And why is this exactly? The only excuse I can think of is religion or simply because you don't have any imagination?

Lets say you and all your loved ones could live forever, young, fit, free of disease etc, you wouldn't take it? Maybe you just have a miserable life...I don't know.

The possibilities are endeless, there's a whole universe to explore for starters... I want to do so many things that I won't be able to do in my short human life span. So sign me up to live longer...

And yes overpopulation can easily be solved, other posters already gave ideas, etc. And yes I'm talking about immortality here, but it seems some people don't even want to live to 100.

And you say natural selection? Lol...Ok. Next time don't take any medicine when your health is in danger. So you can die for your precious natural selection and save the world from over populating!

Agreed.

My life is quite happy and filled. So many experiences/travels/memories, but **** NO, I don't want to live past my normal time.

Even if they figured out how to make me or my whole family live 1000's of years healthy/young. 41 years old, and I'm ready to go "home", not stay here for another 100 years. 80 and I call it quits, no matter what anybody says to get me to rethink my position. "I did my time", as my favorite band sings...

What you consider your "normal time" wasn't determined by nature, but by science. In the past, people lived much less than 80 years due to science not being as advanced in medicine as it is today, and deaths by diseases were much more common. So why are you willing to allow science to help you live 80 years, but refuse to allow it to prolong your life any more than that?