Scientist may have found the way of slowing the age of humans. Firstly, we will look into why humans age.
1. Chromosones in cells are capped by telomeres, which looks like shoelace tips.
2. Each time a cell divides to create new skin blood or bone, it uses a bit of telomeret to create the new cells.
3. After 50 to 70 divisions, the telomere runs out
4. Cells die because there is not enough telomere to create new cells.
5. Cells without telomeres may also fuse with each other, creating dangerous mutations, so cells usually kill themselves when the telomere is used up.
6. Telomeres get shorter and shorter as more cells die. As human body ages, the body becomes more prone to diseases and eventually dies.
Harvard scientists have genetically enginered mice without telomerase, an enzyme used to create telomeres. These mice became prematurely aged and diseases-ridden. But after they injected the mice with a drug that stimulates telomerase production, the mice became younger, less diseased and more active.If a similar drug is found for humans, cells may divide indefinitely, slowing age indefinitely.
Objections: 1.Some scientists question the comparison between engineered mice and normal human growth.
2. Others believe telomere erosion is not the dominant cause for human ageing.
3. Also, mutations in telomerase may cause cancer and help tumors grow faster
Why mouse? 1.Mouse have 70-90% of human's dna. 2. Because of their small body size, large numbers can be housed together in relatively small places. 3. They reproduce quickly and in large numbers.
1. Chromosones in cells are capped by telomeres, which looks like shoelace tips.
2. Each time a cell divides to create new skin blood or bone, it uses a bit of telomeret to create the new cells.
3. After 50 to 70 divisions, the telomere runs out
4. Cells die because there is not enough telomere to create new cells.
5. Cells without telomeres may also fuse with each other, creating dangerous mutations, so cells usually kill themselves when the telomere is used up.
6. Telomeres get shorter and shorter as more cells die. As human body ages, the body becomes more prone to diseases and eventually dies.
Harvard scientists have genetically enginered mice without telomerase, an enzyme used to create telomeres. These mice became prematurely aged and diseases-ridden. But after they injected the mice with a drug that stimulates telomerase production, the mice became younger, less diseased and more active.If a similar drug is found for humans, cells may divide indefinitely, slowing age indefinitely.
Objections: 1.Some scientists question the comparison between engineered mice and normal human growth.
2. Others believe telomere erosion is not the dominant cause for human ageing.
3. Also, mutations in telomerase may cause cancer and help tumors grow faster
Why mouse? 1.Mouse have 70-90% of human's dna. 2. Because of their small body size, large numbers can be housed together in relatively small places. 3. They reproduce quickly and in large numbers.
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