I heard about these [immortal jellyfish](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turritopsis_dohrnii) that are ‘[biologically immortal](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_immortality)’. I have three questions that I would like to have eli5:
1. How can animals be biologically immortal?
2. What can we learn from it in terms of human aging science and biotechnology?
3. What would it take for humans to ‘achieve’ biological immortality?
In: 2
They are “theoretically” immortal.
What were you, what was I when we first became that sperm/egg merger. A bitty zygote. Pretty simple. I didn’t have my cancer mutations in 1981 because of my smoking habit. I hadn’t developed any mutations, particular traits, etc. What if I could shift back to that state? My mom probably would not like a pregnancy in her 70’s, but skipping over that, what if I could just restart from my birth genetics?
Some jellies seem to be able to do this. Just opt for their birth era genes, go back to being zygotes. Fetuses. Whatever particulars those are called.
We will never, ever be immortal in this way. If I was able to take your genes and replant them. You grow up anew with the same genes. Are you immortal? Well, strong argument that without any of the same history or experiences you would not be you at all. You would just be a new person in stolen genetics. I could become more “you” if I hacked your Instagram account.
Also, they can still die. Sea turtles have a thirst for eating them. And if you get eaten, no more immortality.
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