X-Message-Number: 19085 Date: Wed, 15 May 2002 12:22:10 -0400 From: Jeffrey Soreff <> Subject: Re: Scientific American on Antiaging and Immortality, [RUDIHOFFMA] Their concluding remarks are actually quite reasonable, (particularly considering that Hayflick was in the group, and he opposes significant lifespan extension, if I understand his position correctly): Quote follows: Most biogerontologists believe that our rapidly expanding scientific knowledge holds the promise that means may eventually be discovered to slow the rate of aging. If successful, these interventions are likely to postpone age-related diseases and disorders and extend the period of healthy life. Although the degree to which such interventions might extend length of life is uncertain, we believe this is the only way another quantum leap in life expectancy is even possible. Our concern is that when proponents of antiaging medicine claim that the fountain of youth has already been discovered, it negatively affects the credibility of serious scientific research efforts on aging. Because aging is the greatest risk factor for the leading causes of death and other age-related pathologies, more attention must be paid to the study of these universal underlying processes. Successful efforts to slow the rate of aging would have dramatic health benefits for the population by far exceeding the anticipated changes in health and length of life that would result from the complete elimination of heart disease, cancer, stroke and other age-associated diseases and disorders. (End quote) Now, I'd prefer it if they explicitly said something like: "Given current pattens of pathologies, approximately half of the total budget for understanding disease processes should be allocated for study of these universal processes underlying aging." - but their actual statement isn't too far from this. They also omit any mention of possible therapies derived from molecular manufacturing, but that is perfectly reasonable, given that such technologies are still in the realm of simulations and extrapolations, not yet of hardware. Best wishes, -Jeff Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=19085