Among many possible environmental factors, scientists have long suspected that certain combinations of nanoparticles contribute to cell damage, aging, and eventually death. That hypothesis has been confirmed in a recent study that observed these ultrafine molecules, some of which can penetrate cell membranes and wreak havoc.1
Biogerontology has definitely shown that “aging arises from the accumulation of damage resulting from a lack of capacity to protect, maintain, and repair somatic tissues over time.”2 Diet, and atmospheric, magnetospheric, or even radioactivity changes are possible contributors to cell damage. Another study from biotechnologists at the University of Delaware also documented certain other nanoparticles that were taken into pumpkin plants, showing a possible way for nanoparticles to be introduced into foods.3
In the human body, these DNA-damaging factors are counteracted by DNA repair mechanisms. It is possible that some DNA repair capacity was lost at the population bottleneck, when the worldwide human population went from an unknown but vast number down to eight in approximately 2348 BC.4 A problem is that when the repair mechanisms themselves become compromised, then the remaining DNA is particularly susceptible to further damage.
The wrong amounts of sugar or amino acids, the presence of free radicals, and now perhaps nanoparticles contribute to cell death and therefore aging. The Bible speaks of a time when men lived extraordinarily long lives on earth, and a time when this longevity will be reestablished.5 Whatever factors contribute to cell death today will have to be dealt with biochemically when longevity returns to humanity.
It is not known how God will do this, though it is clear that some additional system would be required that provides constant upkeep to refresh both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA. There is no doubt, however, that the One who created life in the first place is fully capable of restoring human bodies to their original “very good” state here on earth.6
References
- Salonen, E. et al. 2008. Real-Time Translocation of Fullerene Reveals Cell Contraction. Small. 4 (11): 1986-1992.
- Murphy, M., and L. Partridge. 2008. Toward a Control Theory Analysis of Aging. Annual Review of Biochemistry. 77: 793.
- Bryant, T. UD researchers show that plants can accumulate nanoparticles in tissues. University of Delaware press release, November 11, 2008.
- Genesis 7:11-13.
- The Bible records that before the Flood, the lifespan of humans measured in the hundreds of years (Genesis 5). Isaiah describes that in the future new heavens and new earth, a 100-year-old person will be considered a child (Isaiah 65:17-20).
- Genesis 1:31.
* Mr. Thomas is Science Writer.
Article posted on November 21, 2008.
