the longevity gene

The successful completion of the human genome project is a great scientific finding and will bring about a big hopes for eternal life. As far as eternal life is concerned, the secret recipe is not hidden in some mystic place in the world, but lies in human genes. The reason is that for any given individual, the influence of genes in the lifetime is fundamental. Some species have a surprising long life (hundreds of years), while others have a very short life (less than one day); given that llifespan is fixed for each species, it is clear that lifespan is determined essentially by genes.  

Why is the lifespan longer in some and shorter in others? Genes play a basic role. Hence, by revealing the secrets of gene, we may find the golden key to longevity or eternal life. Although scientists have not been able to do large-scale studies on the “longevity gene” in an organized and planned way, the bit-by-bit studies have led to many discoveries. For example, they found the gene called “I have not died”, the “Methuselah gene” and so on.

 A research group in European Tumor Research Institute in Milan announced that they have found a gene related to the lifespan of an organism. By restraining the effect of such a gene, they could prolong the life of an organism. The researchers have found that after getting rid of a gene called “P66SHC” in the mouse, or restraining its functions, the mouse’s resistance to disease was strengthened and its lifespan greatly prolonged. Scientists in US Fornea Technical College found a drosophila that lives longer than other drosophilas, because there is a special gene functioning in it. Now, by using this gene they can prolong the life of drosophilas by 35%. This gene was names “Methuselah Gene”, following a figure in The Bible that lived to the age of 969. If such a gene in mankind can be found and made the best use of, we will be able to make man’s life time exceed Peng Zu - a Chinese man who lived to the age of 800 - or Methuselah. Scientists in Connecticut State University’s Medical Centre chanced on a new “longevity” gene in their research project on drosophilas. The main reason why this “longevity” gene can change drosophila’s lifespan is that it can control energy absorption of drosophila’s cells, as if they were in a “diet”. This gene is distributed on the two chromosomes of drosophila. If the gene is changed on only one chromosome, drosophila’s lifespan will extend by one time or so; but if it is changed on both chromosomes, drosophila will die of too much “diet”. This gene was named “I Have Not Died”. Scientists in Massachusetts Institute of Technology reconstructed the gene of a nematode and prolonged its life by more than a half successfully. If the nematode had two SIR2.1 genes, it that can only live for two weeks (originally it can live three weeks).  

The discovery of these longevity genes has brought about a fine prospect for mankind’s longevity. At Scripps Academy of California scientists did a research on genes of old people above 90 and they found that in more than 99% of the cases genes functions of these old people were completely normal, almost like the genes of neonates. Then, why do we still get old? Researchers in Illinois University at Chicago have found one answer. They say that the secret of aging might lie in a special gene called “p21”. By starting up p21 gene, we can cause significant changes in uncountable other genes, and all these genes have something to do with aging and diseases relevant to aging.” So, there must be genes in the human body that are closely related to longevity, and by a full and deep understanding of such genes and by regulating and modifying them properly, we might be able to reach the purpose of longevity or living forever. 

Genetic engineering also has a very important function: it can combine human genes, animal genes, vegetal genes or any species’ genes into one individual life. It is an earthshaking change, which may trigger the most profound and tremendous transformation, including extension of human life. As we know, some animals are long-living such as big turtles and many unicellular animals can “live forever” so long as the environment is suitable; also some plants are also long-living like ancient cypresses. If we could find the genes that help them live so long and then transplant or duplicate them for humans, or develop drugs with the same effect, then, we will open up the road of prolonging people’s life.  

Genetic engineering could trigger a series of revolutions, such as the magical genetic forecast, genetic diagnosis, gene therapy, gene reconstruction and so on, all of which have displayed an extremely bright prospect for the realization of eternal life. Most “incurable diseases” such as cancer will be eradicated and AIDS will not be worth mentioning. 

Genetic research has also shown that the main causes of aging might be related to the defects in the “maintenance” and “repair” systems of the human body, and such systems might be controlled by genes and therefore, by transforming or “closing” these genes, we might be able to control the aging process of mankind. For these reasons, the British scientist in charge of the genome project, asserts that it is not a hard thing for the average human lifetime to reach 1200 years or so. The continual breakthrough in gene research can not only prolong human lifespan, but also make people ageless. And as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Human Genome Scientific Research Company points out: “It is very likely for us to find out the headspring for keeping youth forever from our own genes. Cell replacement may be able to help people keep youth and health forever.”

(received by Anonymous and posted)