NationStates Jolt Archive

Well, not exactly. But of certain import for those of us taking genetics somewhat seriously.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article5594539.ece

January 26, 2009
Turritopsis nutricula: the world's only 'immortal' creature
...
Jellyfish usually die after propagating but Turritopsis reverts to a sexually immature stage after reaching adulthood and is capable of rejuvenating itself.

The 4-5mm diameter creature, technically known as a hydrozoan, is the only known animal that is capable of reverting to its juvenile polyp state.

Theoretically, this cycle can repeat indefinitely, rendering it potentially immortal.
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The jellyfish and its reversal of the aging process is now the focus of research by marine biologists and geneticists. It is thought to achieve the feat through the cell development process of transdifferentiation, in which cells transform from one type to another.

The switching of cell roles is usually seen only when parts of an organ regenerate.
http://www.zmescience.com/meet-the-worlds-only-immortal-animal
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turritopsis_nutricula
We've had threads arguing about what characteristics are involved in cloning, and the consequences thereof
http://scienceblogs.com/digitalbio/GlowCats_270x202.jpg
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/genetics/2007-12-14-cloned-glowing-cats_N.htm

and there's obviously potential here.

It's evermore prescient given this weeks' significance as genetics goes ...
http://www.darwinday.org/
http://www.sfatheists.com/activism/images/DarwinDay2005-15-Cake.jpg
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7886477.stm
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/02/13/parasitic-wasps-got-their-poison-from-an-ancient-virus/
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/02/13/researchers-take-baby-step-towards-cure-for-the-common-cold/

From a biological standpoint i'm astounded, even though this is due to polyp nature. From a layperson's perspective i'm chagrined there isn't more news about this (confounded libruhl media).

What think all y'all?

bad idea. we become immortal we will cease to evolve and lose our adaptability on a biological level. This will put the entire human race at risk for extinction.

bad idea. we become immortal we will cease to evolve and lose our adaptability on a biological level. This will put the entire human race at risk for extinction.Well ... perhaps we'll get some success with Chironex fleckeri, and you'd definitely see a change in our warring and sexual habits, by golly. Perhaps for the better.

Well ... perhaps we'll get some success with Chironex fleckeri, and you'd definitely see a change in our warring and sexual habits, by golly. Perhaps for the better.

right so less sex and more killing since now we can do it with stingers.

right so less sex and more killing since now we can do it with stingers.

A lot of peeing on people as well,

Very interesting, but I really don't think I'd want to be immortal. Particularly if had to become a jellyfish polyp to do so.

Very interesting, but I really don't think I'd want to be immortal. Particularly if had to become a jellyfish polyp to do so.

i mean good god who want to go through puberty again.

A lot of peeing on people as well,Bear Grylls says that doesn't always work, iirc. I think i saw that in my Worst Case Scenario Survival Guide, as well.

Very interesting, but I really don't think I'd want to be immortal. Particularly if had to become a jellyfish polyp to do so.That's another thing that crossed my mind - cellular integrity and the nature of degredation of information in a biological organism.
http://discovermagazine.com/2009/mar/09-they-dont-make-homo-sapiens-like-they-used-to
What organisms are so refined that the mutations and changes have diminished so considerably that they really haven't had to change much at all, barring extreme climate/biome alteration?
http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jan/033

i mean good god who want to go through puberty again.
Sick thing is how many adults want to plug those puberty pubes again.

right so less sex and more killing since now we can do it with stingers.
Yes ... well, we can do that now, just with more implements instead of biological adaptations, of course.
http://discovermagazine.com/2009/mar/02-evolution-by-intelligent-design
It would, in theory, keep some of the population in check.
http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jan/076
http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jan/053

Sick thing is how many adults want to plug those puberty pubes again.

you mean like guys chasing teen girls?

you mean like guys chasing teen girls?
Yeah .. and women (teachers, often) chasing teen boys.
http://goinside.com/98/2/sexed.html

We need to seriously cull the human population if we're going to start making people immortal: imagine millions of immortal red-necks

We need to seriously cull the human population if we're going to start making people immortal: imagine millions of immortal red-necksWell, thankfully, they might be part of the clinical trials, but since a good proportion of those folks are down-home god-fearin' types who don't believe in evolution and the like, they won't be much interested in the process and finished product where beer $ ain't involved.
Not to say we wouldn't all end up rednecks eventually - that might be another study that needs to be done.

SOmetimes I can't wait for this life to be over, why would I want to repeat it?

SOmetimes I can't wait for this life to be overNow now, none of that shit. Every iota of time is an opportunity.
Not that i don't UNDERSTAND depression, i just can't support giving into it in the biggest way.
why would I want to repeat it?Not necessarily repeating it, per the OP .... but perhaps you'd repeat your life in a way to make yourself enjoy it more? More meaningful?

Now now, none of that shit. Every iota of time is an opportunity.
Not that i don't UNDERSTAND depression, i just can't support giving into it in the biggest way.
Not necessarily repeating it, per the OP .... but perhaps you'd repeat your life in a way to make yourself enjoy it more? More meaningful?

Well Staughn my situation is one that I am sure would follow me over several lifetime.

Well Staughn my situation is one that I am sure would follow me over several lifetime.You imply metaphysics and an aetherial impression ... is that the case?
TG me if it suits you, i'm curious about this, in akashic/karmic understanding.
Again, you still have time.

You imply metaphysics and an aetherial impression ... is that the case?
TG me if it suits you, i'm curious about this, in akashic/karmic understanding.
Again, you still have time.

Its as simple as if I owed any kind of debt at all when I died that debt would just follw me into my next life (and I owe a lot of debt) I'm already utterly unemployable in this life (which I see no reason for it to follow me into the next) and as I get older I become more critical and psiteful of people (which would no doubt follow me into my next life)

Its as simple as if I owed any kind of debt at all when I died that debt would just follw me into my next life (and I owe a lot of debt)Financially? Honor-bound? The two are not necessarily intertwined. Is this a cultural issue? I honestly don't know you well enough in this regard.
I'm already utterly unemployable in this life (which I see no reason for it to follow me into the next)I don't know that i can agree with that, in the sense that you have a memorable and affable personality here, and frankly, personality can most certainly pay. It's all a question, really, of your enterprising values.
as I get older I become more critical and psiteful of people (which would no doubt follow me into my next life)It may, but it's perfectly understandable to feel that way. I deal with that feeling daily. There are, however, simplicities, duplicities, and multiplicities that put life into perspective for me every day ... i've come to understand it's absolutely (and i do mean absolute) imperative on a spiritual level to keep that in mind and pursuit. It's a situation further exacerbated, of course, by parenthood, although clearly parenthood is *not* for everyone. I'm not even sure yet that it's for me, but i've already committed, and they're awesome so far.

I don't think immortality would be a very good thing for man-kind. Imagine a world where Henry Kissinger will *never* die. ...oh wadaminit :eek2:

bad idea. we become immortal we will cease to evolve and lose our adaptability on a biological level. This will put the entire human race at risk for extinction.

Actually, from a biological stand-point immortality would be the ultimate evolution. In biology we are taught all life exist to properate more generations. It has been theroized that even we have evolved merely to produce and raise offspring. So, the longer we live then the greater chances would be had for producing more offspring. Instead: What you should be worried about is over crowding. We will cease evolve when we go extinct and an/other humanoid species replaces us. Really, you should fear the children.

Actually, from a biological stand-point immortality would be the ultimate evolution. In biology we are taught all life exist to properate more generations. It has been theroized that even we have evolved merely to produce and raise offspring. So, the longer we live then the greater chances would be had for producing more offspring. Instead: What you should be worried about is over crowding. We will cease evolve when we go extinct and an/other humanoid species replaces us. Really, you should fear the children.
Good point ... perhaps what we were getting at with the stingers.

I don't think immortality would be a very good thing for man-kind. Imagine a world where Henry Kissinger will *never* die. ...oh wadaminit :eek2:Good point. Politics, social structure, economic structure and even religious structure would all have to be put in check.

Financially? Honor-bound? The two are not necessarily intertwined. Is this a cultural issue? I honestly don't know you well enough in this regard.

Financial, I owe $45,000 - 46,000 give or take less than $30. It may not sound like a huge debt but with my current salary it will take me a very long time to pay.


I don't know that i can agree with that, in the sense that you have a memorable and affable personality here, and frankly, personality can most certainly pay. It's all a question, really, of your enterprising values.

My affable personality to date has landed me with a job as a carnival barker and another as a part time radio DJ who gets promised the next promotion only to watch it get taken by someone with 1/4 the experience and following of me. My education level (probably a symptom of the times and the area I live) makes it very difficult for me to get any other kind of job. I'd move but then if I go too far the amount I owe more than doubles, and 10% of that is owed immediatly.


It may, but it's perfectly understandable to feel that way. I deal with that feeling daily. There are, however, simplicities, duplicities, and multiplicities that put life into perspective for me every day ... i've come to understand it's absolutely (and i do mean absolute) imperative on a spiritual level to keep that in mind and pursuit.

As much as I try the quality of people I deal with in person on a daily basis is turning me into Oscar the Grouch.

Isn't alot of religion and religions based on a life-t/here-after. Maybe a mass adoption of a philosophy would be better.

*runs to patent office to register reverse-aging cream*

Well, Straughn, it looks like we're going to be spending eternity locked in a perpetual struggle for dominance.

Yeah .. and women (teachers, often) chasing teen boys.
http://goinside.com/98/2/sexed.html

Nice. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Teacher_Bangs_a_Boy)

We need to seriously cull the human population if we're going to start making people immortal: imagine millions of immortal red-necksI have an idea, only those of NSG should become immortal. Picture, an eternal NSG forum ruled over by the god of all clowns, LG.

Well, Straughn, it looks like we're going to be spending eternity locked in a perpetual struggle for dominance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pj1FVsAA0jU
There was a poster a little while ago who took note of my query ......
Is this the part where we spoon?

I have an idea, only those of NSG should become immortal. Picture, an eternal NSG forum ruled over by the god of all clowns, LG.
I'm bigger on the being ruled over by the goddesses, WYTYG, Nanatsu No Tsuki, Dakini, Peechland, Neesika (yes there's some fear in that but when isn't there), and of course, Amarenthe. An oligarchy of truly chaotic instance and proportion. :)

Isn't alot of religion and religions based on a life-t/here-after. Maybe a mass adoption of a philosophy would be better.Yeah, i think the mass adoption thing is a good idea. Another abrupt paradigm shift without a clutch, methinks.

*runs to patent office to register reverse-aging cream*
Too late.
http://images.wikia.com/wikiality/images/Formula401.jpg
*le gasp*

I have an idea, only those of NSG should become immortal. Picture, an eternal NSG forum ruled over by the god of all clowns, LG.

you would turn NSG into a large vampire the masquerade larp session.

bad idea. we become immortal we will cease to evolve and lose our adaptability on a biological level. This will put the entire human race at risk for extinction.

Meh, evolution happens as a side effect of reproduction. I've never really understood such a claim. The selective pressures would just change as we'd definitely not stop reproducing. People are gonna bang, no matter what, and that's going to result in offspring sometimes.

The odd side effect of some immortality treatment would be a potential biological divergence of socioeconomic classes, I think. Assuming such a treatment is, at least in the beginning, expensive to procure, it would be likely that mainly the upper class would attain it, perhaps upper-middle class, a demographic that tends to have decidedly less children than other classes. A class that has fewer children and at a slower rate than the rest is going to have majority control of not just the resources (especially with potentially unlimited life experience aiding in amassing wealth) but would also "evolve" more slowly as there would be just fewer generations than the other classes in the same amount of time. Then again, perhaps it would become affordable to most people before such a divide could actually occur.

Meh, evolution happens as a side effect of reproduction. I've never really understood such a claim. The selective pressures would just change as we'd definitely not stop reproducing. People are gonna bang, no matter what, and that's going to result in offspring sometimes.

limited resource mean limited reproduction.
In a society such as ours standing wealth speaks for much. So those with wealth who are now immortal will tend to retain that wealth. Their children seeking to work they way up the ladder will have a more difficult time. In the end the standing wealth would over come any advantages three of four generations of might bring. Leaving the new generation more vulnerable to death by other means.

on the bright side it would allow me my life long dream of sleeping with a girl 100 years younger then me.

Very interesting, but I really don't think I'd want to be immortal. Particularly if had to become a jellyfish polyp to do so.

Theres a poll question for you, would you choose to be immortal if it meant becoming a jellyfish?

Just watching Benjamin Button was enough, thank you very much. I don't feel like living it.

Theres a poll question for you, would you choose to be immortal if it meant becoming a jellyfish?
Good question.
I should've approached this as a poll.
Next time maybe.

Meh, evolution happens as a side effect of reproduction. Exclusively?

The odd side effect of some immortality treatment would be a potential biological divergence of socioeconomic classes, I think. Assuming such a treatment is, at least in the beginning, expensive to procure, it would be likely that mainly the upper class would attain it, perhaps upper-middle class, a demographic that tends to have decidedly less children than other classes. A class that has fewer children and at a slower rate than the rest is going to have majority control of not just the resources (especially with potentially unlimited life experience aiding in amassing wealth) but would also "evolve" more slowly as there would be just fewer generations than the other classes in the same amount of time. Then again, perhaps it would become affordable to most people before such a divide could actually occur.That reminds me ... Idiocracy is on cable this week. Not your post, the bolded part.

you would turn NSG into a large vampire the masquerade larp session.Larp?
:confused:

Oh well. This weeks' Earthweek had an interesting tidbit as well:
Humanity's newfound ability to manipulate DNA, regenerate tissue and augment our abilities through robotics is putting us on the edge of becoming a new species, according to a leading researcher into the political impacts of life sciences.

Speaking at the TED 2009 conference on technology, entertainment and design in Long Beach, Calif., Juan Enriquez dubbed the next stage in humankind’s evolution homo evolutis.

He told the gathering that while some modifications of the human body in this evolution will be made after birth, our ability to create changes with DNA and biology may allow us to take some of the best aspects of the animal kingdom and make them our own.

Enriquez believes that the dawn of Homo Evolutis will allow people to work much later in life, reducing the strain on government pensions and accommodating the need for more production to supply a rapidly expanding population.

He said that the evolution is not likely to be deliberate and steady, but rather “an even faster accumulation of small, useful improvements that eventually turn homo sapiens into a new hominid."

Some attending the gathering said they felt such a new creature might more accurately be called a "cyborg."
http://www.earthweek.com/
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/AheadoftheCurve/story?id=6854658&page=1