Reversal of informational entropy and the acquisition of germ-like immortality by somatic cells

TL;DR

This paper explores how the modern environment's information overload influences biological evolution, potentially favoring somatic cell survival and complexity at the expense of germ line cells, with implications for human longevity.

Contribution

It introduces a novel perspective linking information theory and biological evolution, suggesting that structured information sharing impacts cell immortality mechanisms.

Findings

Structured information sharing increases biological complexity.

Somatic cells may adapt to energy demands of modern information-rich environments.

Germ cell immortalization mechanisms might be downgraded in response to new evolutionary pressures.

Abstract

We live within an increasingly technological, information-laden environment for the first time in human evolution.This subjects us, and will continue to subject us in an accelerating fashion, to an unremitting exposure to meaningful information that requires action. Directly dependent upon this new environment are novel evolutionary pressures, which can modify existing resource allocation mechanisms and may eventually favor the survival of somatic cells,particularly neurons, at the expense of germ line cells. Here it is argued that persistent, structured information-sharing in both virtual and real domains, leads to increased biological complexity and functionality, which reflects upon human survival characteristics. Certain immortalisation mechanisms currently employed by germ cells may thus need to be downgraded in order to enable somatic cells to manage these new energy demands placed by our modern environment. Relevant concepts from a variety of disciplines such as the evolution of complex adaptive systems, information theory, digital hyper-connectivity, and cell immortalisation will be reviewed.