Re: Quantum tunneling and human immortality

From: Eugen Leitl (eugen@leitl.org)
Date: Thu Aug 29 2002 - 09:34:48 MDT


On Fri, 30 Aug 2002, Avatar Polymorph wrote:

> gts thanks for the info...

Thanks for the disinfo, rather. What next, Mars face? Black helicopters?

Molecule fragmentation by quantum tunneling does not occur as a measurable
aging mechanism. Do the math.

Life's based on homeostated flux of an open system, and hence all
molecules have a (usually quite short) half lifetime in the body. Even
cursory perusal of undergrad biochem textbooks will show you that there is
a long list of side reactions leading to system damage on a scale utterly
dwarfing even such mechanism as normal background radiation.

It is extremely probable that biology per se is incapable of creating
extremely long-lived systems. However, machine-phase and solid state
nanosystems could either offer supportive role for wet biology
(nanomedicine) or become an alternative substrate for life.

It is unlikely any of us will see advent of such technology within our
normal lifetime, however, short of semidivine interventions (SI, etc).



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