Plan B Forum

Scientists are slowly unlocking the secrets of ageing, and some suggest treatments may soon be at hand to slow or even reverse the ageing process.

Late last year, a team at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute published a Nature paper in which they detailed the reversing of the ageing process in mice.

They targeted the chromosomes that reside within the nuclei of all our cells, and specifically telomeres, caps at the tips of chromosomes. The telomeres protect the chromosomes from damage, but also shorten with age, until the cells are no longer able to replicate.

Professor Ronald DePinho and colleagues manipulated the the enzyme that regulates these tips - known as telomerase - on and off, and witnessed dramatic results. Boost the enzyme, and the mice appeared to rewind the clock.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12207953

Even such consequences which we can dimly foresee are too horrible to contemplate.

This is a timely thread. My brother in laws mother who is 99, birthday 15 mar, is dying. My sister called last night and told me that her mother in law is not expected to last through today. It's ironic that we traveled the almost 300 miles to visit my sister that I have not seen for 22 years and also this 99 year old woman whom I have known almost all my life. My sister and her husband have been caring for her for many years. We were there last weekend and while talking to Peg she was suprisingly lucid with a very clear memory of her life. She was also saddened by the loss of all her friends and had a sad way about her.

I don't want to outlive all my friends and family.

Sorry to hear that Miles. You and your family are in my thoughts.

No, a waste of time.

No desire whatsoever.

I'd like to live long enough to see my kids established and secure in their lives, and preferably to see some grandchildren as well (mostly just to ensure they bug my kids as much as my kids bugged me). But after that the world can go on without me.

Andrew D wrote:Even such consequences which we can dimly foresee are too horrible to contemplate.

Serious overpopulation comes to mind.

Andrew D wrote:Even such consequences which we can dimly foresee are too horrible to contemplate.

Serious overpopulation comes to mind.

Quality of life is EVERYTHING. If you are not healthy enough to do the things you enjoy, or if your life is full of nothing but doctor appointments and taking medicines, what's the point?

I'm sorry Miles, but hearing you're such a compassionate individual is always heartening.

No thanks, Just long enough to see my son grown and mebbe a grandchild or two. I lost my Grandfather a coupla years ago he was 99, all his marbles, i decided after that I want to have dementia and not know anything about it. Not the nasty smacking sort just the singing, I have been to the moon and invented the banana sort.

dgs49 wrote:Quality of life is EVERYTHING. If you are not healthy enough to do the things you enjoy, or if your life is full of nothing but doctor appointments and taking medicines, what's the point?

Not convinced by that. I agree with the sentiment, but I have known (and know, and seen) many people who are ill, in pain, have to keep going to the doctor, yet have no intention of not trying to soldier on. I suspect you will feel differently when you are older. Currently, I feel as you do, but I think perceptions will change as I get older.

The consequences of overpopulation is one good thing to consider. I don't think the world will be a particularly nice place in 50 years time ... if the human race survives that long.

I've known many people who feel/felt exactly the opposite way and would love to be released from their misery; these are the people who fuel the debate over euthanasia. I'm sure some people will cling to "life" regardless of how miserable it is, but many will not and crave the release of death from what's become a living hell.

I agree with you BigRR - just depends on where the hypothetical line is drawn for each person

If someone invented a "suicide pill" that could be taken and the person would go quickly to sleep and die, it would be a big seller.

It seems like such a thing probably exists, but if so it is a wonder why execution drugs are such an issue these days.

Seconal and Nembutal are the suicide drugs of choice. They are also expensive as hell. Well and hard to get too. Additionally there is less room for error when using IV drugs. I mean what thug would willingly eat/swallow bitter drugs?

What about with a spoonful of sugar?

@meric@nwom@n wrote:Seconal and Nembutal are the suicide drugs of choice. They are also expensive as hell. Well and hard to get too. Additionally there is less room for error when using IV drugs. I mean what thug would willingly eat/swallow bitter drugs?

Alcohol and barbiturates are very effective. Phenobarb, Amobarb, Secobarb (seconal), &c.

yrs,
rubato

My brother in laws mother passed last night at about 9 pm. My sister called to tell me. She said that she slipped away peacefully. If there is a hereafter I hope hers is pleasant.