Rune B. Jakobsen

As I explain in #Making_Sense_of_Cancer, our cells have two options as they accumulate more mutations with age: Either they listen to the genetic control mechanism and shut down through apoptosis. That is aging. Alternatively, they acquire mutations in the control mechanism and continue to divide uncontrollably. That is cancer. Either way, it represents the end of the multicellular organism. As you indicate, the blind and the naked mole rats live longer than other rodents and tend to die due to aging rather than cancer. This characteristic is somehow related to their peculiar lifestyle of hibernating underground in hypoxic conditions. It may be possible for humans to artificially shift the balance from cancer to aging, but that will probably come at the expense of longevity. The easiest way not to get cancer is to die of other causes first. As I describe in the link below, I would personally rather take my chances and hope to die of cancer. If we want to live forever, however, we have to genetically and epigenetically renew our cells on a regular basis. That won’t be easy, it won’t be cheap, and I fear the disruption to society will be devastating. Again, on a personal note, I see children as the greatest joy of life, and I am more than happy to pass the torch to the next generations. @ellenhuet @iatrogenful @OssiRahkonen @MaxFromMax @meccanismo @Joh99Sp @sunilbhop @Richard56 @JasonConnection @b12369047 @MauiWahini @jav_riv @Medical_Nemesis @SM23094607 @GordonMarino @Victor_Tancredi @KarlPettersso10 @BGressetvold @gjesp_no @JonLaake @shahjalalsiam @sAE3tT @ChristophAdami @didactist richardswsmith.wordpress.com…