Physical Immortality

Source: Unknown

Immortality is theoretically possible even in our present physical forms. There is still no scientifically proven explanation for why we begin to grow old and die. If you provide a cell the metabolites and nutrients it needs to survive, there is no reason why its lineage should ever die-out. Our cells should continue to divide and replace older cells in a never-ending process, but due to some unknown cause they simply stop. The most widely accepted theory proposes that the ends of chromosomes (telomeres) degrade through time, and active genes eventually become affected by similar erosion. However, programmed cell death is now known to occur, and clearly indicates a control mechanism is governing cellular mortality. Cells are responding to signals we do not yet recognize, and will essentially die on a preprogrammed schedule. It is also now well established that plant and animal cell lines can be easily immortalized. Immortalized plant tissue can be obtained by simply isolating the plants wound-response tissue called callus. When separated from the plant's signaling mechanism that tell the cells to die, callus will grow indefinitely in tissue culture. Cancer cells are likewise immortal because they have become genetically unresponsive to the signals that would normally restrict the cells from replicating their DNA and dividing. Unlike their host organism, immortalized cell lines will continue to grow and divide as long as their necessary elements are maintained.

It is true that the typical cell-line should theoretically never die, and the cell could have been constructed impervious to harm, but we can not escape the fact that there are still biochemical requirements for life. For example, an impenetrable super-cell would not protect an individual from starvation, thirst, or suffocation caused by drowning or fire. Regarding the exact nature of physical immortality there is another possible scenario that most have overlooked. Perhaps humans and even animal immortality was simply equivalent to the state possessed by plants. Plants are actively or potentially immortal today and will continue to live forever provided their environmental requirements are met. In striking contrast to plants, humans and animals have a maximum life expectancy regardless of whether their needs are fulfilled or not. Although it is true that some plants grow as annuals, all plants are actually perennials by nature, and have adapted to a programmed life cycle in some instances to match growing seasons. Otherwise, plants only die because of biochemical starvation or disease. If their physical requirements are available, plants will grow indefinitely. Perhaps all life on earth was originally designed in this way. We could still be killed by accident or through starvation, but we otherwise would continue to live forever.