We may be able to turn it off, and reverse it. I’ve always been amused by (in Clarke’s words) the “distinguished elderly [or not so elderly] scientists” who think that the laws of physics require our bodies to deteriorate over time.
Via Glenn, who has some further thoughts.
This supports my biblical view.
1) God purposed to fill the earth with people that live forever.
2) God always gets his purpose even when free will would seem to derail it.
Re (1) no, the earth would not then be overfilled.
But that’s my bias.
To any “distinguished scientist” who thinks aging is as much a law of physics, the one way arrow of entropy applies only to closed systems, which do not include living organisms. Though I expect there are several problems to be solved before aging can be halted or reversed.
I’ve taken the Instapundit’s advice to take quercetin for longevity enhancement. Can’t say whether I feel any different physically while on it. But I it is helping in regards to the side effect that many people report with clearing up the sinuses. I’ve long been one of those people that often wakes up in the middle of the night with a parched tongue from breathing through mouth because the nose it completely stopped up. After a few weeks on quercetin my sinuses have cleared up a great deal. I wonder if it’s because it’s a flavonol found in fruits that it interacts with the same mechanisms involved with allergies to pollen? Seeing as seed bearing fruits are result of the germination of flowering plants by pollination.