One step closer to eternal youth (manipulating genes to slow aging)

Mail & Guardian Online ^ | 11-29-05 | Ian Sample

[emiller]

A genetic experiment to unlock the secrets of the ageing process has created organisms that live six times their usual lifespan, raising hopes that it might be possible to slow ageing in humans.

The geneticists behind the study say the increase in lifespan is so striking, they may have tapped into one of the most fundamental mechanisms that controls the rate at which living creatures age.

The tests were carried out in single-celled organisms, forcing them into what the researchers refer to as “extreme survival mode”. Instead of growing quickly and showing signs of ageing, the organisms became resilient to damage and were better able to repair the genetic defects that build up with age, often leading to cancer in later life.

[emiller]

"I cannot afford to age. I still have to generate offspring, but I don’t have enough food to do it now.’”

Eerie, but I've been saying this every morning for years...

[AnotherUnixGeek]

It's nice to see articles like this and the growing interest in curing aging - aging is a disease that must and will eventually be defeated. Probably shortly after I die of old age.

[Alexander Rubin]

Fascinating...

[daku]

"Scientists believe that drastically cutting calories triggers a switch in an organism’s behaviour, from growing and being able to reproduce to a state of stasis in which growth and ageing are put on hold, at the expense of reproductive capability, until more food is available."

so much for taking a woman out to dinner =)

[toldyou]

Interesting thread. I was about to make myself something to eat, but I think I'll skip it! :)

Seriously, I enjoy life so much, I would love to live longer than my "estimated" time!

[Ramcat]

Could they please hurry up?
My shoulder and knee are killing me!

[Alexander Rubin]

lol

[Dead Corpse]

Sounds good. 600 years? I'd actually have enough time for all the subjects I have an interest in...

[going hot]

Yeah, but...after say 450, you would have a hard time doing many of those things.

[Texican72]

I just want to know that my Social Security will be there for the 500+ years I'm in retirement.

[clyde asbury]

"Scientists believe that drastically cutting calories triggers a switch in an organism’s behaviour..."

Do you live that much longer, or does it just seem that way?

[mowowie]

Yea i've been reading this stuff since I was a kid. I wish they would hurry up with it before i'm dead or worse....Old!

[econjack]

What do you mean...you'll need to live that long just to get back what you paid in!

[DeFault User]

I just want to know that my Social Security will be there for the 500+ years I'm in retirement.

Hmmm, we'll up the retirement age to 550 and the 25-50 taxpaying kids you have over your lifetime should just about make the new Geezer Ponzi scheme work.

[Lazamataz]

They will unlock the secret to immortality 25 minutes after I die.

[steve-b]

This is the sort of thing that brings out the Luddite impulse in some pseudo-conservatives.

[ThinkDifferent]

Yeah, but...after say 450, you would have a hard time doing many of those things.

Defeating aging would mean keeping the health of a 20-30 year old indefinitely. Works for me.

[Skywalk]

Yeah, I've noticed there are some who rail against any attempt to extend human lifespans.

Any change to the order and they are overcome with fear. "who will pay for Soc security?! how long will they collect it?!" Duh, the entire system will change and medical costs would plummet as we'd be far more healthy for more of our lifespans, even for that extended period of time.

[steve-b]

Yeah, I've noticed there are some who rail against any attempt to extend human lifespans.
Any change to the order and they are overcome with fear. "who will pay for Soc security?! how long will they collect it?!" Duh, the entire system will change and medical costs would plummet as we'd be far more healthy for more of our lifespans, even for that extended period of time.

Yep. Leon Kass is one of Dubya's more embarassing appointments, and we're just lucky that the mainstream media hasn't noticed.

[clyde asbury]

Anti-aging? Bring it on.

Fact is, these sorts of articles are published from time to time; this one is nothing new in its promises.

A large body of research has already shown that severely restricting diet can boost the lifespan of flies, worms and mice by around 40%.

Yes, and how much did you eat yesterday?

That's one of the main benefits of aging; you learn to spot those who regard themselves as messiahs, bringing "eternal youth" in the imminent Utopia.

(Oh, and don't forget to contribute to The Cause!)

Uh huh.


God bless those who are conducting this research. I would love to be wrong about this, but pay attention and you will see essentially this same article in the media again shortly. And again, and again - while life-expectancy continues its glacial trend upward.