Replication

Abstract Thursday: Replication

Tyrell : [Tyrell explains to Roy why he can't extend his lifespan]  The facts of life... to make an alteration in the evolvement of an organic life system is fatal. A coding sequence cannot be revised once it's been established.
Batty : Why not?
Tyrell : Because by the second day of incubation, any cells that have undergone reversion mutation give rise to revertant colonies, like rats leaving a sinking ship; then the ship... sinks.
Batty : What about EMS-3 recombination?
Tyrell : We've already tried it - ethyl, methane, sulfinate as an alkylating agent and potent mutagen; it created a virus so lethal the subject was dead before it even left the table.
Batty : Then a repressor protein, that would block the operating cells.
Tyrell : Wouldn't obstruct replication; but it does give rise to an error in replication, so that the newly formed DNA strand carries with it a mutation - and you've got a virus again... but this, all of this is academic. You were made as well as we could make you.
Batty : But not to last.
Tyrell : The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long - and you have burned so very, very brightly, Roy. Look at you: you're the Prodigal Son; you're quite a prize!
Batty : I've done... questionable things.
Tyrell : Also extraordinary things; revel in your time.
Batty : Nothing the God of biomechanics wouldn't let you into heaven for

Blade Runner 1982

Was it really that long ago - must be getting old, which was of course more than Roy Batty was able to do, hence the conversation above.