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

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