Never say die

Rapamycin has been found on Easter Island which could prolong the life expectancy of lab mice. Although it may not work to the same degree on humans, it gives us a better insight into the ageing process. According to Dr Mark Porter in the Times, animals vary in the ageing process with a sea anemone for instance never ageing visibly and some species of turtles living to over 150.

As a human, we can expect as an average to last to our 80s. The only way to extend our life expectancy is to look at slowing “the ticking of our genetic clocks”.

The reason why we don’t live much past the age of 120 is due to the body’s natural repairing shutting down. Our life styles have much to do with this but the worst offender is oxygen which corrodes our structure.

Dr Porter explains: “To prevent damage to the DNA during cell renewal, chromosomes contain special structures called telomeres that protect the delicate strands as they unravel and reform…the telomeres disappear altogether and the DNA starts to fray.”

Although we have no way of repairing damaged telomeres a repair enzyme — telomerase — exists in reproductive cells. This may be a key in helping us to last longer, if indeed we want to!

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