Product Description

Can we grow old without dying? Why do we have to grow old at all? In this fascinating book Mark Benecke investigates the biological meaning of life and death and the prospects for extending human longevity, or even achieving immortality. The first section of the book discusses the biological fundamentals of why death exists and what modern biology, especially the biology of genetics, tells us about aging and death. Human life and death, Benecke explains, is shaped by cellular life and death, so he examines the mortality of the normal cell as well as the "immortality" of cancer cells. In the second part Benecke assesses the various ways that we humans cope with a finite life span and the looming certainty of death, including such topics as the link between sport and vitality, the legends of Dracula and the undead, melatonin, vitamin C, and "the French paradox" concerning the link between alcohol consumption and heart disease. The third part looks at the possibility for extending our lives through cloning, organ and brain transplants, live cell therapy (favored by Sir Winston Churchill among others), and deep freezing of humans for reawakening in a future age. Finally, Benecke tells us what we can learn about the prospects for the human race from a study of the earth as a whole-for we can stay healthy only if the earth is healthy. Climate change, overpopulation, population "crashes," Gaia, and the possibilities of future emigration into space are explained and explored. The Dream of Eternal Life concludes with a look at the human genome project and developmental biology, and Benecke sheds light on what this knowledge will mean for us in terms of understanding the nature of human life and our place in the living world. Throughout, Benecke maintains a scientific and skeptical attitude to many of the claims and counterclaims made by countless experts and fellow scientists.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #639467 in Books
• Published on: 2002-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 224 pages

Review
"An informative and engaging examination of ageing and the meaning of death... thought-provoking." -- Booklist "Very readable... recommended." -- Choice "Undeniable expository mastery... substantial." -- F. Gonzalez-Crussi, Commonweal "Advances in the field of genetics have exponentially increased our understanding of how the body ages... Benecke surveys the most recent research in the field in order to assess those possibilities." -- Science News "Benecke's discussion of research on the genetics of aging and death handles the technicalities of DNA research in some of the most readable, engaging terms... [L]ively and imaginative, [t]he book's achievement... is that it hooks us on the question of immortality." -- Walter Donway, Cerebrum "This book shotguns a significant target and its style will fuel inquisitive minds." -- Clive Evans, British Society for Developmental Biology "A good read for the scientist and non-scientist alike. Benecke's fluent, narrative style carries the reader through the five chapters of the book, covering a wide range of subjects along the way... the book provides the general reader with a 'good taste' of the various aspects that may influence human life and death." -- Efstathios S. Gonos, European Molecular Biology Organization "Benecke explores the possibility of extending current life even further through cloning, organ and brain transplants, live cell therapy and deep freezing of humans for reawakening in a future age." -- Ted Ruhig, San Diego Escondido News "A disturbing and riveting read." -- The Australian

About the Author
Mark Benecke is a forensic scientist with a focus on forensic biology. His extensive international experience includes teaching at universities in Southeastern Asia, South America, North America, and Europe.

Customer Reviews

All men are mortal
I have not read this book, but I did read some of the reviews of it here. The refusal of people in this society to face up to death is amazing. It is the root cause of the entire asinine culture that we enjoy. You mean that the fashionably dressed and perfectly coiffed young superstar is going to die? How uncool to suggest such a thing. And to look to science for eternal life is hilarious. The great joke of this society is that people lavish infinite care on themselves, exercising and dieting with religious devotion, but not one of them will get out alive. They can either look into the wisdom traditions for eternal life, or they can go on trying to diet and exercise enough to live forever.

Does Not Reflect Current Science
I bought this book hoping that it would provide a decent overview of current work on anti-aging medicine. I was sorely disappointed. Benecke spends much of his time on popular culture, philosophical musings, and general health tips like vitamins and the effect of alcohol on heart disease.

He does not cover the advances of the last 10 years in genetically engineering animals to live much much longer than the norm, using caloric restriction to extend life, the success of synthetic anti-oxidants in extending the lives of nematodes and fruit flies, or any other current scientific topic in anti-aging medicine.

Life, death and everything in between...
Mark Benecke has immortalised himself in this most witty of forays into the popular biology of life and death. All the concepts in this book are well-clarified, and easily accessible to scientists and non-scientists alike. Dazzling in its detail while remaining true to the 'big picture' all the while, the narrative is almost like a cameraman zooming in and out to capture a panoramic landscape, looking at each issue from many angles. This is one of the many strengths of the book, making it well-rounded and non-biased on every level. The progression through basic cell and molecular biology to the concepts of life, death and immortality leads the reader in a satisfyingly logical order. From Dracula to Darwin, Gaia to genome, climate change to cryopreservation, this book is comprehensive enough to have it all. If you are human, and have an interest in life or death - read this book now!!