Originally posted by Yukitup
reply to post by phi1618
Fascinating - thanks for the story. I am not nearly smart enough to know - do we have a geneticist or biologist in the house that can explain whether
some type of genetic mutation might allow a person to live this long? Excess production of white blood cells / ability to better absorb and utilize
antioxidants / etc?
Yes, DNA holds the key to an extended life.
There are some biological toggle switches.
It is very rare but a few people are born with 1 toggle switch ON and
3 turned off. These people only live to be about 40 years old.
At the age of 40 they appear to look 85 years old.
They grow old just like us but at a faster rate.
It's easy to see that you just have to compare their DNA with a normal
persons DNA. OH! There they are. Switches for an extended life span!
We currently have 2 switches on and 2 switches off.
That gives us a life span of about 80 years old.
If you turn all 4 biological toggle switches on you can live to be
over 200 years old. Unfortunately, that would bankrupt Social
Security fast. I guess you would have to forfeit your Social Security
$$$ before you get the Gene Therapy shot in the arm.
[edit on 25-8-2009 by Eurisko2012]