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genetics
Moderators: AmyCowen, kgudger, MadelineB, Moderators
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deleted-489268
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genetics
if a human was to take the 3 genes responsible for the bowhead whales longevity of 211 years and replace their human versions of these these genes with the whale specific logevity mutants of these genes would their lifespan become 211 years aswell.
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deleted-487176
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Re: genetics
Hi,
A lot of factors play a role in the lifespans of organisms. Replacing a few human genes with whale genes that are important for longevity would not allow humans to then live for 211 years. Many other factors such as nutrition, lifestyle, other genes, aging, and the capabilities of the human body would not allow for humans to then live for 211 years. Having genes that would allow for a longer life would then enable humans to live longer, but achieving that is not as simple as just replacing a few genes.
Hope this helps!
A lot of factors play a role in the lifespans of organisms. Replacing a few human genes with whale genes that are important for longevity would not allow humans to then live for 211 years. Many other factors such as nutrition, lifestyle, other genes, aging, and the capabilities of the human body would not allow for humans to then live for 211 years. Having genes that would allow for a longer life would then enable humans to live longer, but achieving that is not as simple as just replacing a few genes.
Hope this helps!
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deleted-489268
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Re: genetics
thank you for your response, do you know what genes could double the human lifespan and make them possibley live to 200.
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deleted-190322
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Re: genetics
Hi!
ndecroo95 is correct that simply replacing a few human genes with genes related to whale longevity would not impart to humans the ability to live as long as the whale. Unfortunately, doubling human lifespan is just not as simple as modifying a few genes. Human lifespan, and importantly also healthspan (how long you life a healthy life, as opposed to being alive but sick and frail), is based on complex factors at the cellular and molecular level. These factors include the ability of stem cells to maintain tissues throughout the body's lifetime, and the accumulation of oxidative stress and DNA damage due to cell metabolism. These are elements that require the involvement of hundreds of genes of diverse functions; not just a handful of genes.
ndecroo95 is correct that simply replacing a few human genes with genes related to whale longevity would not impart to humans the ability to live as long as the whale. Unfortunately, doubling human lifespan is just not as simple as modifying a few genes. Human lifespan, and importantly also healthspan (how long you life a healthy life, as opposed to being alive but sick and frail), is based on complex factors at the cellular and molecular level. These factors include the ability of stem cells to maintain tissues throughout the body's lifetime, and the accumulation of oxidative stress and DNA damage due to cell metabolism. These are elements that require the involvement of hundreds of genes of diverse functions; not just a handful of genes.