The immortal Jellyfish

[Groundhog]

This is pretty damn interesting:

Jellyfish appears to be immortal | World Breaking News | News.com.au (http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,24970100-23109,00.html)

Jellyfish appears to be immortal

By staff writers
NEWS.com.au
January 27, 2009 02:56pm
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<!-- // END story-tools ************************************** --><!-- // END article-header ************************************** --><!-- // article-body ************************************** --><!-- // article intro ************************************** -->A JELLYFISH may be immortal, scientists believe.
<!-- // END article intro ************************************** --><!-- // article corpus ************************************** -->The turritopsis nutricula, a transparent 4-5mm diameter predator normally found in warm tropical waters, is the only known animal that is capable of reverting to its juvenile polyp state, the Times Online reports (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article5594539.ece).

Jellyfish usually die after propagating but Turritopsis is capable of rejuvenating itself and reverting to a sexually immature stage after reaching adulthood.

Theoretically, this unique cycle can repeat indefinitely, rendering it potentially immortal.

Marine biologists and geneticists are researching how the jellyfish essentially reverses the ageing process.

It is thought that the creatures cells can actually transform from one type to another.


Here's the critter:

http://geoman.ru/news/item/f00/s03/n0000314/pic/000000.jpg

[ISiddiqui]

I, for one, welcome our new Immortal Jellyfish masters.

[Noop]

I wouldn't mind being immortal for a couple thousand years, as long as I can keep my memory.

[Fonzie]

If the price of achieving immortality was that I had to keep repeating puberty for all of eternity, I'd probably do it. But I'd have to stop and seriously think about it.

And if I did go forward with it, I'd definitely try to corner the market on Benzoyl Peroxide.

[Noop]

How would that work? Being young again will the rules apply to you if you try to get with a non immortal girl?

[Groundhog]

How would that work? Being young again will the rules apply to you if you try to get with a non immortal girl?

"Judge, you don't understand, I know she was 15 and my drivers license says I'm 37, but I'm half turritopsis nutricula, and I'm currently in my juvenile polyp state."

[Karlifornia]

"Judge, you don't understand, I know she was 15 and my drivers license says I'm 37, but I'm half turritopsis nutricula, and I'm currently in my juvenile polyp state."

LOL

[Lathum]

there can be only one

[Groundhog]

there can be only one

You just planted the seed for what would likely only arguably be the worst Highlander movie.

[Crim]

This is pretty damn interesting:

Jellyfish appears to be immortal | World Breaking News | News.com.au (http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,24970100-23109,00.html)


Here's the critter:

http://geoman.ru/news/item/f00/s03/n0000314/pic/000000.jpg

Jellyfish, I read about Lazarus Long; I feel like I knew Lazarus Long; Lazarus Long was an important figure in several Heinlein works. Jellyfish, you're no Lazarus Long.

[Karlifornia]

That Jellyfish just made me start craving Taco Bell.

[Groundhog]

That Jellyfish just made me start craving Taco Bell.

The meat used in those Taco Bell products is probably older than most turritopsis nutricula.

[JediKooter]

I don't know if I could handle the acne again...

[CraigSca]

So - do these things ever die due to natural causes?

[Eaglesfan27]

I had (really have) a severe phobia of jellyfish ever since I was stung by one in the Atlantic Ocean when I was 4. This jellyfish is a nightmare come to life.

[Schmidty]

Jellyfish are so primordial and creepy. They've been around since before the dinosaurs, and now we find out that there's a tiny chance that there could be individuals that old?? That's just mind-blowing.

[RainMaker]

The belief is also that Lobsters are essentially immortal. That in the right conditions with no predators, they could live forever.

[Senator]

I thought this thread was a tribute to these guys:

http://www.sweetslyrics.com/poze/bio/Jellyfish.jpg

[sterlingice]

I wouldn't mind being immortal for a couple thousand years, as long as I can keep my memory.

That's a deal I'd make in a heartbeat.

Life would be more interesting going through a second or thirtieth time.

In general- I think middle school, junior high, high school, and college all would be more enjoyable if people were more mature. That said, I guess if you retained your memories, you wouldn't necessarily need to go through those again. Maybe there would be advanced schools, something like- "ok, I know the basics and last time in life, I was an architect- this time I'd like to try learning artist" and you could craft your education accordingly.

SI

[JPhillips]

I had (really have) a severe phobia of jellyfish ever since I was stung by one in the Atlantic Ocean when I was 4. This jellyfish is a nightmare come to life.

Have you thought about seeing a psychiatrist? ;)

[Coffee Warlord]

That's a deal I'd make in a heartbeat.

+1

[Autumn]

That's a deal I'd make in a heartbeat.

Life would be more interesting going through a second or thirtieth time.

In general- I think middle school, junior high, high school, and college all would be more enjoyable if people were more mature. That said, I guess if you retained your memories, you wouldn't necessarily need to go through those again. Maybe there would be advanced schools, something like- "ok, I know the basics and last time in life, I was an architect- this time I'd like to try learning artist" and you could craft your education accordingly.

SI

If this concept interests you, you have to read the novel Replay by Ken Grimwood. An enjoyable read on this idea of returning to live your life again.

[cartman]

THIS IS SOME BENJAMIN BUTTONS SHIT
.

[Tigercat]

You just planted the seed for what would likely only arguably be the worst Highlander movie.

Put the Scottish Jellyfish in the future with an alien subplot, and I think we would have it.