Title: Humans could live for hundreds of years
Course: Science Fiction: Dune > Section: Research Resources

Scientists say people could live active lives for hundreds of years if humans follow the same biological rules as laboratory worms.

By carefully tweaking genes and hormones, scientists extended the lifespan of the tiny roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans six times. In human terms, the worms stayed healthy and active for 500 years.

The researchers pointed out that the chief mechanism they tampered with - a signalling pathway involving insulin - was common in many species, including mammals.

But many people might find the price of immortality a little high. The worms with the longest lifespans also had their reproductive systems removed.

The life span extensions obtained by US and Portuguese scientists were the longest achieved for any organism.

Writing in the journal Science, the researchers said mutations that inhibit insulin/IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor) signalling can double the life span of C. elegans.

Removing precursor reproductive cells also extended lifespan by 60%. This was not due to sterility, but appeared to be the result of altered hormonal signalling.

Further genetic interference of mutation-carrying worms, plus the removal of their reproductive systems, produced lifespans six times longer than normal.

Both insulin and IGF-1 have similar biological signalling pathways in the body.

Insulin is a hormone with strong metabolic effects. It controls the level at which glucose is broken down, absorbed into the muscle cells and used to provide energy. IGF-1 stimulates cell replication and differentiation, and the synthesis of cellular products.

Broken Link: http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_831657.html
Date: 10-23-03
Author : -
Source: Ananova.com
Title: 'Humans could live for hundreds of years'