The Future of Longevity Research – an Interview with Dr. Aubrey de Grey – Episode 5

Dr. Aubrey de Grey is a biological gerontologist on a crusade to defeat aging. He thinks we are within a couple of decades of rejuvenation medicine capable of adding another 30 years to human lifespan, proposing that the first person to live to 1,000 years old may already be alive today.

In the field of longevity science, there are a few roadblocks, but the biggest one is funding. They discuss why it isn't a higher priority for average people to further this research.

Mark and Dr. de Grey cover a number of concepts at the forefront of anti-aging, such as whether increasing telomere lengths may be beneficial against aging or may cause side effects.

Dr. de Grey suggests we learn more about the subject of defeating aging. Then become an advocate for the research, to bring about these medicines faster.

Mark also asks Dr. de Grey about the morality of pursuing greater longevity for humans.

Also on the podcast, Mark and Dr. Gladden discuss how the typical medical approach isn't designed to promote longevity but treat the immediate problem. Medicine is still, after all, a business. Reimbursement is always going to trump research.

They consider de Grey's focus on finding a big breakthrough, versus the approach of making what you have better now, along the way.

For more information on This Week in Longevity Science, visit https://news.osu.edu/news/2017/08/07/regenerative-med-study/. Dr. Gladden expands on the function of stem cells in regard to these new findings.

Ask yourself, "How does it change your thinking about the structure of your family, your work, community, etc., when you consider the ability to live 120 robust years?"

About the guest:

Dr. de Grey is the biomedical gerontologist who researched the idea for and founded SENS Research Foundation. Learn more at http://www.sens.org/. He received his BA in Computer Science and Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Cambridge in 1985 and 2000, respectively. Dr. de Grey is Editor-in-Chief of Rejuvenation Research, is a Fellow of both the Gerontological Society of America and the American Aging Association, and sits on the editorial and scientific advisory boards of numerous journals and organizations.

Follow de Grey on Twitter @AubreydeGrey and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drdegrey/