What methods would biologists use to find an immortality gene?

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Clever Penguin
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I have started writing a book based on the writing prompt: 'Not a single person in the world has died for over a year. Write a story about it.'

I decided to call mine 'The Immortal Gene.'

The only difference between this universe and 'TIG Universe' is that in 'TIG Universe' everyone who is alive has an active gene that makes them immortal.

The scientists don't know this yet, and are looking for the cause of this immortality. I need an accurate description of what methods biologists would use under these circumstances.

You can see it here: https://tablo.io/brumtown/the-immortal-gene

:smile:
 
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Clever Penguin said:
prompt: 'Not a single person in the world has died for over a year.
Clever Penguin said:
The only difference between this universe and 'TIG Universe' is that in 'TIG Universe' everyone who is alive has an active gene that makes them immortal.
Hi Penguin:

I interpret the prompt differently than you seem to. In the TIG Universe, the prompt would be inappropriate, since no one would have ever died.

Regards,
Buzz
 
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Buzz Bloom said:
Hi Penguin:

I interpret the prompt differently than you seem to. In the TIG Universe, the prompt would be inappropriate, since no one would have ever died.

Regards,
Buzz

I have a solution to that. :smile:

[Spoiler Alert]

This gene was originally inactive, but something caused it to become active in some people. Then some evil guys, who had the active version, killed everyone who didn't. And now everyone is immortal. :smile:

EDIT 1: And that has just spoiled the plot, so I added a 'spoiler alert'.
EDIT 2:
I say they are evil, but in reality they are just disappointed at the amount of time it has taken to send people to other planets. It is just their method that is evil (killing the people without the gene so as to artificially select people who are immortal).
 
Hi Penguin:

Your "spoilers" are a logical fix to my interpretation. You need to be clear early in your story as to whether the immortality protects against (1) accidents and being murdered, or (2) just prevents aging. I don't have any ideas about the (1) plot possibility, but a gene that stopped aging after adulthood might be based on repairing the shortening of telomeres.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Buzz
 
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Buzz Bloom said:
Hi Penguin:

Your "spoilers" are a logical fix to my interpretation. You need to be clear early in your story as to whether the immortality protects against (1) accidents and being murdered, or (2) just prevents aging. I don't have any ideas about the (1) plot possibility, but a gene that stopped aging after adulthood might be based on repairing the shortening of telomeres.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Buzz

Thanks. Originally it was meant to be (1), but it maybe better if it was (2). :smile:

Buzz Bloom said:
Hi Penguin:

It occurred to me that you might like to read a novel based on a similar, but not the same, premise.

Regards,
Buzz

Seems interesting. Adding this to my 'BTR (Books To Read) list' :wink: