2. Scientific Revelations in the Bible (4)

Telomere, the section of DNA base pairs at the end of the chromosome, functions as a disposable buffer (for more on DNA see a previous discussion). Each time the chromosome replicates during production of new cells, the complete chromosome is not duplicated; a small section at the end of the chromosome is lost. If it were not for telomeres, this would result in the loss of important genetic information needed to sustain the cell’s activity.  

Simplified DNA

Over time, the telomere section gets smaller and smaller. There seems to be a minimum telomere length for healthy cells. If the telomere is all “used up” the cell can no longer successfully duplicate. This process has been referred to as the “end replication problem.” From a biology/genetics perspective – this is why and how we age: fewer and fewer cells in our body can replicate themselves.

Research in this area is still in an early phase, as the exact working and role of telomere is far from fully understood. Though it is probable that changing telomere lengths will influence the ability of the cell to continue to replicate, it has not been positively proved that telomere shortening is indeed the reason for aging rather than a consequence of it.

Much more research is needed, but the existence of a “life ending” genetic instruction is surely a strong evidence of a design decision made by the Creator to limit the age of mankind!