New at Reason

David Weigel | April 11, 2006

Ron Bailey explores vital new information about longevity.

Comments

Zubon|4.11.06 @ 10:00AM|#

I like the notion that mitochondria are the cause of aging. I have never heard that before, but since mitochondria are like a symbiont that we picked up back in our single-cell days, it seems intuitively appealing that there are potential benefits to severing that relationship if we can replace its functions. Do the same moral objections to radical cellular change apply when we are just replacing the previous (ancient) radical cellular change?

It is time to end biological welfare! Mitochondria, we have carried you for these past millenia, and while we appreciate the contributions you have made, it is time for a contract renegotiation.

|4.11.06 @ 10:06AM|#

I like the notion that mitochondria are the cause of aging.
its not that mitochondria are the cause of ageing, its that worn out dead mitochondria don't help us stay young and healthy. Replacing old mitochondria with new is akin to a 'spring cleaning'...or something.

|4.11.06 @ 10:30AM|#

"80 is the new 40."
- Hugh Hefner, on his birthday this week.

Zubon|4.11.06 @ 10:43AM|#

its not that mitochondria are the cause of ageing, its that worn out dead mitochondria don't help us stay young and healthy. Replacing old mitochondria with new is akin to a 'spring cleaning'...or something.
Bother, somewhat less exciting there.

I was bouncing around a metaphor to the current illegal immigration debates ("Jobs American sub-cellular organelles won't do!"), but I guess I will need to switch out for the French riots metaphor (anthropocentric overlords using up mitochondria and replacing them, concerned only with our own biological bottom line and not concerned about mitochondrial needs).

|4.11.06 @ 5:39PM|#

Man, don't even get me started on Kass. Ron's last paragraph, about how future generations will look back on guys like that, is probably kind. I think people will look back on Kass as a fucking monster. He is one.

|4.11.06 @ 7:39PM|#

Kass should have died young and enfeebled.