Was wondering if its possible to "live forever" or at least until an accident.
2006-08-12 17:54:29 · 10 answers · asked by bluevoltagex@sbcglobal.net 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
It's superior form of preservation of genetic information. If you have large number of organisms constantly reproducing (replicating genetic information) it will likely last more than having fewer but immortal organisms carry genetic information that will be gone forever if all should parish.
By reproducing and dying it keeps genetic information relatively unchanged and safe from total destruction.
2006-08-12 18:27:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It seems to be a number of factors including our atmosphere, our diet, our lifestyle, our genetics, and our "aging" system. The fact is, if we knew exactly what the mechanisms are that make us age (aside from theories about oxidants, etc.), we'd probably be able to stop that aging process. So theoretically, yes, we probably can live almost forever as in maybe even thousands of years, but not "eternal" forever. We've gotta figure out what the universe as a whole is capable of first. You can't outlast the universe after all.
The next question which veers away from your question of course is, do you really want to live in this kind of a world forever? When you have no more loved ones who're alive? When you're disabled? When all you might see are more of what's currently going on in the Middle East or in Africa?
2006-08-12 18:10:42 · answer #2 · answered by NONAME 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Each cell is only allowed to replicate a certain number of times. The DNA in the cells have what are called "Telomeres".
The complicated definition of a Telomere :
A telomere is a region of highly repetitive DNA at the end of a linear chromosome that functions as a disposable buffer. Every time linear eukaryotic chromosomes are replicated during late S-phase the DNA polymerase complex is incapable of replicating all the way to the end of the chromosome; if it were not for telomeres, this would quickly result in the loss of useful genetic information, which is needed to sustain a cell's activities.
If you just went, "Huh?", here is what it that means to you:
Many aging-related diseases are linked to shortened telomeres. Organs deteriorate as more and more of their cells die off or enter cellular senescence.(Cellular senescence is the phenomenon where cells lose the ability to divide)
Our cells are built to stop multiplying after a significant period of development. If you could create a genetic therapy to repair the telomeres so that they are longer or so that they don't shorten at all, you might be able to life forever. Nature will find a way though... to kill you.
2006-08-12 18:11:58 · answer #3 · answered by Future Resident 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
aside from the fact that all living things die too, human organs alone prevent us from living forever. They would have to be continously replaced to help us live forever because time isn't easy on them. They stop funtioning over all after awhile. Theres so many things working against our pursuit of eternal life on earth =p
(Im just gonna leave religion in general out of my answer)
2006-08-12 18:02:12 · answer #4 · answered by Zander Mathis 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Body wears out like anything else. At some point the replenishing of cells will not be able to keep up with the degeneration. Organs fail, muscles fail and the body goes into disrepair. At some point they stop functioning. THE END.
2006-08-12 18:11:58 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
G'day bluevoltagex,
Thanks for the question.
Our body relies on a number of complex processes such as breathing and circulation. When these processes are stopped for a number of minutes, we die.
Regards
2006-08-12 18:08:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
We die because the body simply just wear out.
A religious answer in that when God created mankind mans and woman's body both were made to live for ever. But when they were placed into the Garden of Eden. Adam and eve sinned and God change everything So that man can not live in sin for ever That is another reason why mankind dies......
2006-08-12 18:07:04 · answer #7 · answered by kilroymaster 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Well for one, cell mutations and injuries in ones that don't undergo cell division really makes an effect. (like in the brain...)
2006-08-12 18:02:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
living organisms, such as humans and others, die because in the theory of evolution there is no rule that states "survival of the oldest" - that is what I believe in.
But the scientific fact is, of course, that when Adam and Eve took a bite of the fruit of one tree they did not take a bite of the other.
2006-08-13 00:10:38 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 6⤋
Aside from the fact that the Bible teaches us that we all have a given number of days to spend on this earth, the body is mortal and will just wear out in time. No matter how many ways science comes up with to replace body parts sooner or later our time must run out.
2006-08-12 18:16:03 · answer #10 · answered by worldwise1 4 · 1⤊ 6⤋