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Connection between the Telomere tail of human DNA and midi-chlorians?

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 (Edited)

Have you noticed some interesting similarities between real-life human cells and the concept of midi-chlorians? Human cells die when Telomere tail in the end of DNA string becomes too short (cancer cells have the ability to keep their Telomere tail intact, that is why cancer cells are sometimes called "immortal"). Perhaps the midi-chlorians can be thought of being something similar than telomere tails (even though I know midi-chlorians were described as "micro-organisms"), something that is determining the lifespan of an individual. I wonder if Telomeres served as some kind of inspiration for Lucas when he came up with midi-chlorians... :)

I just read about researchers (I think they were Harvard-based) who have been able to reverse the aging process in mice (or was it rats) by activating Telomerase enzyme that prevents Telomere tail from shortening... So exciting! (even though I HATE animal experiments... But the article stated this was not painful for the rats, I hope that is true...!) Just imagine all the things that can (and will!) happen during our lifetime, say within next 50-80 years or so :) 

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DuracellEnergizer said:

I've read that midi-chlorians were inspired by mitochondria. 

 

Now that you mentioned that, I recall reading something like that too... I also found this page that has some in-depth info on the topic: http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Midi-chlorian

 

 

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TV's Frink said:

DarkSky said:


I also found this page that has some in-depth info on the topic: http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Midi-chlorian

*facepalm*

Things like this make me embarrassed to like Star Wars.

 

I agree, I also think that midi-chlorians were a bit too much... Like many other things in episodes 1-3 (it would take too much time to list all the annoying things, problems and "flaws"...). I was just wondering what inspired Lucas to include such things in a first place... Personally my favorites are the original episodes, the new ones cannot compete in any level. Just wanted to clarify that I did not start this thread because I think midi-chlorians are amazingly cool, I was just wondering what inspired Lucas when he came up with them. And when I found that SW "wiki" page I thought it was simply hilarious... :) :) :)

 

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Would it be so hard to come up with a retcon that says "The midi-chlorians are microscopic parasites that infest multicellular carbon-based life to feed off of their Force energy. Midi-chlorians cannot be removed from their hosts, as midi-chlorians alter the DNA of their vessels, making them dependant on the microbes for their continued survival. Midi-chlorians do not create or channel the Force, though they do have the potential to wield it; experienced Force users can harness that potential and put it to whatever work they desire through manipulation of the midi-chlorians"?

Hell, unlike most retcons, this wouldn't be like cutting a square peg to fit a round hole; it pretty much can work with what's already been established rather easily.

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Heh!  I like it!  At least, if they have to be included, that's a better way to do it.

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I retconned midichlorians to be the poisonous gas that the Nemoids try to kill the Jedi with at the beginning of TPM.  Done and done.

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Yes, and may the Wookiee's be with you for it.  Your retcons now allow the PT to make perfect sense ;)

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TV's Frink said:

I retconned midichlorians to be the poisonous gas that the Nemoids try to kill the Jedi with at the beginning of TPM.  Done and done.

 

hmmm....does it bring you more comfort knowing that was the only non cgi shot in the whole movie?

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