Subject

I'd like to open a dialogue on the viability and ethics of biological immortality. I'm pursuing a degree in molecular biology, and this subject interests me the most.

This will likely take the form of a more hypothetical discussion than pure science, so please try to see past this.

We already have some serious concerns about resources, if this were ever reached we would need to put some hardcore regulations on breeding.

For the sake of argument, let's say that biological immortality has been achieved through genetic manipulation, and the designer patents the method/sequence. Since the easiest way to "pirate" this sequence would be to reproduce, the method leaves the person sterile.

What would your concerns be, then?

I would say (by the way have any of you guys seen torch wood ? That show has a brilliant episode on immortality, well worth the watch look it up, anyways).

1. Disease will run rampent and make every living day of our immortal life hell, simply because they will not die either.
2. War without end, but theortically lets say that we could not re-grow limbs, after Bombs, Atomic weapons and so-forth then us humans would STILL BE ALIVE, in sheer agony or bliss ful unconsiousness I do not know.
3. Obviously resources.

And that all I can come up with.

The only part I don't quite understand is your point #2.

Biological immortality only prevents death through natural causes - old age and disease will not be able to kill us, but trauma still could. Otherwise, you do bring up some good points.

asexual cloning allows simple organisms to reproduce themselves directly without needing sex to diversify their genome because of naturally occurring (and possibly accelerated)mutation.

although individual pieces of dome of these organisms die, the whole of the organism remains intact, perhaps or millennia.

once any organism (the more complex the organism, the more fragile its systeems are) is unable to sustain itself in any manner, it may go into some form of hibernation or biological stasis.

generally most organisms, even microscopic and colonial ones, are suceptible to trauma.

I think a large problem is ensuring that the genetic material getting sequenced doesn't mutate during the person's lifetime.

Also, you aren't addressing aging very well.  I think that needs to be explored some more.  It's all fine and well to say "Immortal" but at what age?  Growing up takes a beating on the human body.  As does getting older.  As do hormones, lifestyle choices.  And the odd mutation. 

Then you've got something you probably haven't considered: Property.  How rich would the rich get if they could never die?  How poor is the poor?  I see even more class warfare with a society that can only die through trauma. 

And are you suggesting that the brains function the same?  At what level?  There's a whole area that needs addressing.  What a plaque building up in the brain?  After a few centuries everyone would probably have Alzheimer's.

Just some off the cuff thoughts that came to me.