The conquest to overcome death is a nearing biological accomplishment. When talking about biological immortality we are referring to a constant rate of mortality in respect to the aging process. In practical any atom, particle, organism or cell that does not age or has stopped to age, is by definition biologically immortal.
This reference to immortality is by some authors refuted. For instance in the ‘Handbook of the Biology of Aging’, the empirical finding that the rate of mortality does eventually have different outcomes on the chronological age shows constraint to biological immortality. This is seen at late-life or simply old age. The rate of mortality stops at late-life, yet the chance for elder to survive another year after reaching 110 years is only 50%.
No matter how immortal a cell or atom can be, it is never invincible or indestructible. All things having a life can decease despite having biological immortality. It is a fact that a biological immortal thing or being can be made mortal through a harsh injury or upon totally destruction.
Biological immortality; Cell Culture
The term immortality has been used to define a cell that ceases to deteriorate with age. This implies immortal cells can constantly split without suffering from DNA damage.
However, referring to the cell culture or evolution we first coined the term immortalization of cells to cancer cells. This was related to the shortening of telomere. In the cell line HeLa and Jurkat are immortal cancer cells. Moreover, even stem cells and germ cells are considered immortal in the cell line.
The immortal cancer cells can be born through the absence of tumor suppressor genes or the introduction of oncogenes. Besides, a possible way to create immortal cells is to induct T-antigen, which is present in SV-40 (simian virus 40).
Eventually in reference to cancer, cell immortality might not be a favourable state. Apoptotic function is nowadays, the major way to monitor and control cancer.
Biological Immortality; Bacteria
Bacteria are referred to as being biological immortal as a colony. The issue is that a bacterium is vulnerable. The process of cell division gives birth to two-sub bacterium, and is at that particular moment considered as individual, or a component of the immortal colony of bacteria. The two sub-components are ‘rejuvenated’ replicates of the parent cell as macromolecules have been damaged and divided amidst two cells. In the same line of thought, gametes and stem cells are considered as immortal.
Biological Immortality; Hydra
Hydras are a type of fresh water animal that is present in most clean lakes or ponds of water. This creature does not have post-mitotic cells and has radial symmetry (not having right and left symmetry but only top and bottom features). Eventually, as cells endlessly split, the defects and toxins are vanished or rather diluted. Research says that hydras do not undergo aging (senescence), making them biologically immortal. The hydras ability to maintain the length of telomere of the DNA, is still not understood.
Biologically Immortal; Jellyfish
The jellyfish, Turritopsis nutricula, is another biologically immortal being. It waters all around the earth but originated from the Caribbean Sea. It is tiny; as small as only 5mm. After sexual reproduction, the jellyfish undergoes a process known as transdifferentiation, which does ultimately restore cells. This reproduction mechanism can continue forever, and therefore the jellyfish becomes biologically immortal.
Biological Immortal; Life extensionists
There are several researches being carried out that are actually trying to make humans biologically immortal. The type of eternal life that we are referring to is not the same as what the literal meaning of immortality projects. We, humans, will still be prone to death through disease, physical injuries and other health predicaments.
Major researchers or life extensionists have found that aging has various stages. A publication in the Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 2005 said that aging is not a determining factor for death at late-life. Senescence becomes an outer factor for death in old age. The effect of aging on death occurs at a decreasing rate in people.
However, bio-gerontologists such as Aubrey de Grey considered that death is related to damage of cells, organs, tissues and macromolecules. Biological immortality can thus only be achieved through proper reprogramming and what can be called as maintenance of cell structures.
Biological immortality is certainly a topic that is addressed from various perspectives. The researches now are focusing more intensely on the cell structure and immortality of cells.
Anti Aging, Gerontology, Health And Aging, Immortality, Longevity
Fri, Dec 4, 2009
Anti Aging, Gerontology, Health And Aging, Immortality, Longevity