Why don't graveyards glow in the dark?

By | September 6, 2007
1 Comment

Aubrey de Grey from Ending Aging:

There were actual land sites all over the planet that should be very badly contaminated by lipofuscin [waste byproducts of metabolism that our cells can't break down and, therefore, contribute to aging.], because their soil has been seeded with the stuff for generations. I speak, of course, of graveyards.

…

there was no accumulation of lipofuscin in cemetaries – and if it were there, we certainly ought to be aware of it, because lipofuscin is fluorescent.

-page 121

Aubrey de Grey’s answer: Xenocatabolism. If there is a food source available, bacteria will evolve that can eat it. And if bacteria can do it, why can’t we steal that ability for ourselves?

You must get this book:

  • http://triticale.mu.nu triticale

    Fluorescent or luminescent? I don’t know of much exploration of cemeteries using ultraviolet light, but I do know of reports of “eerie glowing” being sighted around old (pre sealed bronze casket) burial grounds.