Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Leibel 06-03-04, 10:37 AM	I know DnD is horrible when it comes to science but one thing could work according to science. The long lifespan of some races - elves most famously, but anything that lives longer than humans(I'm talking joe the commoner who will die of natural causes). Take the famous and/or infamous pointy eared elf. 700 year life span. It could happen. According to science aging is caused by our genes breaking down over time, releasing harmful chemicals, enyzmes, weakening the immune system,etc. So if a creature had no genetic flaws in theory it could live forever ala Tolkeins elves. If it had fewer genetic flaws than humans it would live longer. Additionally after 100(in RL humans) the odds of living to the next year increase and in RL animals where scientists have gotten rid of genetic flaws the modifed animal lived twice as long and aged slower proportionally to the regular animal. So the elves, dwarves, etc have fewer genetic flaws hence they age slower and live longer than humans. Any other opinions.
william_reinmar 06-03-04, 03:12 PM	now the one thing wrong with that theory,(although it is a good one compared to others ive heard) is that the human body isant designed to live 500 plus years. dispite the person being in flawless genetic health, bad chemicals build up, bones break, organs grow old, and cells die. The body is nrmally not bad at fixing small problems like those when we are young, but into 50 and 60 you get a broken back or leg your in trouble. Also infections are much more bad in older adults then younger adults.because the immune system breaks down.
william_reinmar 06-03-04, 03:14 PM	now the one thing wrong with that theory,(although it is a good one compared to others ive heard) is that the human body isant designed to live 500 plus years. dispite the person being in flawless genetic health, bad chemicals build up, bones break, organs grow old, and cells die. The body is nrmally not bad at fixing small problems like those when we are young, but into 50 and 60 you get a broken back or leg your in trouble. Also infections are much more bad in older adults then younger adults.because the immune system breaks down. in short are bodies are only supposed to be able to survive long enough to reproduce. to keep the species alive. but with elves or dwarfs it might be diffrent.
incarnadine 06-03-04, 03:29 PM	Originally posted by william_reinmar now the one thing wrong with that theory,(although it is a good one compared to others ive heard) is that the human body isant designed to live 500 plus years. dispite the person being in flawless genetic health, bad chemicals build up, bones break, organs grow old, and cells die. The body is nrmally not bad at fixing small problems like those when we are young, but into 50 and 60 you get a broken back or leg your in trouble. Also infections are much more bad in older adults then younger adults.because the immune system breaks down. Yeah, pretty much. It would take a lot of evolution in order to alter the design of the human body so that it could last longer then the odd 100 years. This includes a change in the reproductive cycle, improved eyes/other organs, shorter height, stronger bone structure (preventing sloping) etc. etc. etc. Not something that we will see in a life time, unless humans start using some creative genetic engineering.