Scientific Immortality

Source: "The Science of Vampires" by Katherine Ramsland

On the ends of chromosomes are caps called telomeres, they also function as counting mechanisms or molecular memory keeping track of how many times a cell divides. Aging is in part cellular division. That means each cell has a predetermined number of divisions. Then it stops dividing and goes into senecence (aging) and eventually dies. In other words we are young for as long as those cells continue to divide, and then we get old. Genes that control the aging process in mortals that are located near the telomeres appear to be inactive in young cells. As the telomeres or caps shorten during the aging process the aging genes are activated. Whatever damage has accumulated from heredity and the environment may then mutate the cells and cause molecular disorder. Thus everything breaks down and leaves us vulnerable to disease. Aging in mortals appears to be a matter of quality control. The cells continue to reproduce but they end up with diminished function. Eventually they slow down and die.

It seems that through the activity of an enzyme called telomerase, the youth protecting activity of the telomeres can be extended. There is an actual chemical in our bodies that may hold the secret to eternal youth.

Scientific studies of people with Werner syndrome, a genetic disorder involving premature aging, were treated with telomerase. The enzyme treated cells lasted indefinitely (so far). A second study showed the regrowth of capillaries that functioned fully and normally.

Unfortunate news to mortals:

Telomerase conveys an unlimited capacity to the human cell to replicate but it's also active in 90% of cancer cells. While the desired effect of wanting the cell to keep dividing without wearing down the telomeres is achieved, it is this very process which could trigger cancer.