In article <9405301043.AA17560 at pclsp2>,
vinz at PCLSP2.KUICR.KYOTO-U.AC.JP (Vincenzo Nardi-Dei) writes:
>>Normal cells, should not develop in cancer-like form even when
>their clock is not terminated; cells are inhibited in the growth
>by the contact with the surrounding cells. This contact makes the cell
>to "understand" its position and role in the organism. When for some
>mutation the information on the contact inhibition is lost in the
>cell, it could become cancer-like.
>
The idea is that the death clock is a second line of defence against cancer.
That to be a "success" and cancerous mutation must overcome both the normal
controls on growth and the death clock. This would enourmously decrease the
likelyhood of any given mutation being dangerous.
Malcolm
>
