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> Indeed, in gametes (sperm and egg cells) the cells use enzymes that rebuild telomeres. Is it practical to harness this somehow to extend life then?
by seanwilson 11y ago
> Indeed, in gametes (sperm and egg cells) the cells use enzymes that rebuild telomeres.
Is it practical to harness this somehow to extend life then?
- brianwawok 11y agoIf someone had the secret to eternal life would they break it on hacker news?
- estefan 11y agoSome scientists consider ageing to be a disease. They're trying to rebuild telomere length to keep us young, so this sounds like a step towards that goal.
- maxander 11y agoThat's probably exactly what the article was talking about- though its very short on details, aside from that the treatment was a form of "gene therapy." But my guess would be that the therapy involved the addition of a gene for this very enzyme (telomerase) in a form that it would become active in adult somatic cells. Of course whether this would actually meaningfully extend life is uncertain- aging is complicated.