Re: Nanotech & "Transhumanism"

Chris Phoenix <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...
> sanman wrote:
> > And in my opinion, replacement or
> > replenishment of genetic material is fundamental to extending the
> > lifespand of flesh-and-blood creatures. Because we know that not only
> > is flesh eroded by environmental factors, but also the integrity of
> > its genetic information is degraded over time by the very act of
> > genetic replication (ie. a photocopy of a photocopy of a photocopy of
> > a photocopy looks fuzzy compared to the original)
> 
> Germline cells are the result of lots and lots of genetic replication,
> but the next generation absolutely depends on their being accurate.  
> 
> It's possible, of course, that more energy is spent in germline cells to
> correct DNA copying errors, and non-germline cells are more susceptible
> to copying errors.  But this implies that this cellular machinery could
> be turned up in other cells, saving them from further damage.  And
> anyway I don't think it's correct. 

*** Yes, you may be right, there is an alternative possible
explanation for the germ line "immortality":

"How human longevity and species survival could be compatible with
high mutation rates."
 Journal of Anti-Aging Medicine, 1999, 2(2): 153-154.
http://longevity-science.org/JAAM-Mutation.pdf


Kind regards,

-- Leonid Gavrilov
Author of the book "The Biology of Life Span"
http://longevity-science.org/index.html#Book


[ We are now well outside the chartered topic-domain of this newgroup.
  Please try to bring the focus back to nanotechnology, or bring this 
  thread to a close. -- /gdp ]