Aubrey de Grey, a former AI specialist turned gerontologist, dives into the captivating world of aging and longevity. He discusses how his tech background uniquely positions him to tackle the biological challenges of aging. The conversation highlights the revolutionary blend of software and biology in extending healthspan, addressing skepticism around unconventional methods, and the pivotal role of information sharing in healthcare innovation. De Grey also explores exciting innovations like stem cell research and CRISPR, underpinning the complex implications of enhanced human longevity.
Aubrey de Grey emphasizes the need for innovative damage repair approaches to actively combat aging, moving beyond traditional incremental methods.
He highlights the challenges posed by conservative funding in science, which hinders innovative research necessary for significant advancements in longevity.
Deep dives
Transition from AI to Gerontology
Aubrey de Grey transitioned from a successful career in artificial intelligence to gerontology after realizing the critical importance of addressing aging as a major source of suffering. His journey began when he met a biologist and, through dinner conversations, discovered that aging was not a priority in their discussions, which shocked him. This revelation compelled him to reconsider his career path as he recognized that improving health could naturally lead to extended lifespans as a beneficial side effect. The combination of his computer science background and newfound biological insights provided him with a unique perspective on tackling the aging crisis with innovative approaches.
Innovative Repair Strategies for Aging
De Grey proposed a shift in gerontology from merely slowing down the aging process to actively repairing the damage caused by it, which he termed 'damage repair.' Rather than focusing solely on metabolic cleanup, his approach emphasizes periodic interventions to maintain cellular and molecular integrity. He identified various types of damage leading to aging, such as cell loss seen in conditions like Parkinson's disease, which can be addressed through stem cell therapy. This radical shift in thinking opened new avenues for research and practical solutions in the field of longevity.
Challenges and Opportunities in Research Funding
De Grey highlighted the significant challenges posed by traditional peer review mechanisms in the scientific community, which often prioritize safe, incremental research over innovative, high-risk projects. He believes that this conservative funding environment stifles groundbreaking ideas that could lead to real advancements in understanding and combating aging. Additionally, while the availability of vast data and improved technologies like CRISPR facilitate research, they do not inherently provide solutions, emphasizing the need for creativity in applying this knowledge. De Grey's insights point towards a growing urgency for new funding models that could encourage bold explorations in health science and longevity.
There are those who would say that Aubrey de Grey is out to cure death, but what this former artificial intelligence specialist turned gerontologist is really focused on is health -- and the side effect of health is living a lot longer.
In this segment of the a16z podcast we talk with Aubrey de Grey on the subject of aging and health, and how his training as a computer scientist helped him approach the problem in a different way from traditional biologists. The intersection of software and biology, and how this “troublemaker” from the computer science world is trying to keep us all healthy for a very, very long time.
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