Can We Live Forever? Aubrey de Grey's Vision for a Future Without Aging
Ending Aging: The Rejuvenation Breakthroughs That Could Reverse Human Aging in Our Lifetime
Have you ever wondered if aging is inevitable? If we have to accept the decline of our physical and mental abilities as we grow older? If we have to face the risk of chronic diseases, such as cancer, Alzheimer's, or diabetes, that rob us of our health and happiness?
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If you have, you are not alone. Many people share these concerns, and some have devoted their lives to finding a solution. One of them is Aubrey de Grey, a biomedical gerontologist based in Cambridge, UK, who is the chief science officer of SENS Foundation, a non-profit charity dedicated to combating the aging process.
In his book Ending Aging, co-authored with his research assistant Michael Rae, de Grey argues that aging is not a natural phenomenon that we have to accept, but a disease that we can cure. He proposes a radical vision of a future where humans can live indefinitely, free from the ravages of aging, by applying the principles of regenerative medicine to repair the damage that accumulates in our bodies over time.
In this article, we will explore the main ideas of de Grey's book, and see how he plans to achieve his ambitious goal of ending aging. We will also look at the current state of research and development of his proposed therapies, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Finally, we will discuss the social implications of a world where people live longer and healthier lives, and how we can prepare for it.
The Seven Deadly Things
De Grey's theory of aging is based on the concept of SENS, which stands for Strategies for Engineered Negligible Senescence. Senescence is the scientific term for the process of biological aging, which involves the gradual deterioration of the structure and function of cells, tissues, and organs. Engineered negligible senescence means that we can use biotechnology to reduce or eliminate this deterioration, and thus extend our lifespan indefinitely.
According to de Grey, aging is caused by seven types of damage that accumulate in our bodies over time. He calls them the "seven deadly things", and they are:
Cell loss and atrophy
Some cells in our body die or become dysfunctional over time, due to various factors such as injury, infection, or genetic defects. This leads to a loss of tissue mass and function, such as muscle wasting, nerve degeneration, or immune system decline. The solution is to use stem cell therapy to replace the lost or damaged cells with new ones.
Nuclear mutations and epimutations
The DNA in the nucleus of our cells contains the genetic information that instructs them how to function. However, this DNA can be damaged by various agents, such as radiation, chemicals, or viruses. This can lead to mutations or epimutations, which are changes in the sequence or expression of genes. These changes can cause diseases such as cancer or other disorders. The solution is to use gene therapy or telomerase inhibition to prevent or treat these diseases.
Mitochondrial mutations
The mitochondria are organelles within our cells that produce energy by converting oxygen and nutrients into ATP. They have their own DNA, which is separate from the nuclear DNA. However, this DNA is more prone to damage than the nuclear DNA, due to the high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by the mitochondria themselves. This can lead to mutations in the mitochondrial DNA, which can impair cellular energy production and cause oxidative stress. The solution is to use allotopic expression of mitochondrial genes, which means transferring them from the mitochondria to the nucleus, where they are better protected.
Intracellular junk
Some molecules that are produced or ingested by our cells cannot be degraded or recycled by the normal cellular machinery. These molecules accumulate inside the cells and interfere with their function. For example, lipofuscin is a pigment that accumulates in lysosomes, which are organelles that digest waste materials. Lipofuscin impairs lysosomal function and causes cellular dysfunction. The solution is to use lysosomal enhancement or transgenic microbial enzymes to degrade these molecules.
Extracellular junk
Some molecules that are produced or ingested by our cells cannot be degraded or recycled by the normal extracellular machinery. These molecules accumulate outside the cells and form harmful deposits, such as amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease or cross-links in arterial stiffness. These deposits impair tissue function and cause diseases. The solution is to use immunotherapy or novel drugs to remove these deposits.
Cell senescence
Some cells in our body stop dividing after a certain number of cycles, due to various factors such as telomere shortening, DNA damage, or oxidative stress. These cells enter a state called senescence, where they secrete inflammatory factors that damage the surrounding tissue and promote aging. The solution is to use senolytic drugs or gene therapy to eliminate these cells.
Extracellular cross-links
Some molecules that are produced or ingested by our cells form bonds between proteins in the extracellular matrix, which is the scaffold that supports tissue structure and function. These bonds reduce tissue elasticity and cause problems such as skin wrinkling, arterial stiffening, or cataracts. The solution is to use enzymes or drugs to break these bonds.
The Roadmap to End Aging
The Roadmap to End Aging
De Grey claims that these seven types of damage are sufficient to explain all aspects of aging, and that by repairing them periodically, we can prevent or reverse aging indefinitely. He estimates that we need to repair each type of damage once every 10 years to maintain a youthful state of health and function. He also believes that we are close to developing the necessary therapies, and that we could achieve this goal within this century.
However, de Grey is not just a visionary, but also a practical scientist who works to make his vision a reality. He has founded and supported several organizations and initiatives that aim to advance SENS research and development, and to raise awareness and funding for this cause. Some of these are:
The SENS Research Foundation
The SENS Research Foundation (SRF) is a non-profit organization that was founded by de Grey in 2009, with the mission of developing, promoting, and ensuring widespread access to therapies that cure and prevent the diseases and disabilities of aging by comprehensively repairing the damage that builds up in our bodies over time. The SRF conducts and funds research projects on various aspects of SENS, such as mitochondrial mutations, extracellular junk, cell senescence, and extracellular cross-links. The SRF also supports education and outreach programs to train a new generation of scientists and to inform the public about the potential and progress of SENS research.
The SRF has achieved several milestones and breakthroughs in its research programs, such as:
Developing a gene therapy that can deliver mitochondrial genes to the nucleus, thus protecting them from damage.
Identifying novel enzymes that can degrade intracellular junk, such as lipofuscin or cholesterol.
Discovering new antibodies that can target extracellular junk, such as amyloid beta or glucosepane.
Testing senolytic drugs that can selectively kill senescent cells in mice.
Engineering enzymes that can break extracellular cross-links in vitro.
The SRF also collaborates with other research institutions and companies, such as the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Oisin Biotechnologies, Ichor Therapeutics, Revel Pharmaceuticals, and Underdog Pharmaceuticals.
The Methuselah Foundation
The Methuselah Foundation (MF) is a non-profit organization that was co-founded by de Grey and David Gobel in 2003, with the goal of extending healthy human lifespan by making 90 the new 50 by 2030. The MF supports longevity research by providing grants, prizes, and awards to researchers and innovators who are working on breakthroughs in regenerative medicine and biogerontology. The MF also fosters a community of donors, volunteers, and advocates who share the vision of a world free of age-related disease.
Some of the initiatives and prizes that the MF has launched or sponsored are:
The Methuselah Mouse Prize (Mprize), which rewards researchers who extend the lifespan or healthspan of mice.
The New Organ Prize, which rewards researchers who create or regenerate human organs for transplantation.
The Rejuvenation Biotechnology Conference, which brings together experts from academia, industry, government, and advocacy to discuss the challenges and opportunities in developing therapies for age-related diseases.
The Longevity Dividend Campaign, which advocates for increased public funding and support for aging research.
The Longevity Cookbook Project, which aims to create a cookbook that combines scientific evidence and culinary art to promote healthy aging.
The Longevity Industry
The Longevity Industry
Besides the non-profit sector, there is also a growing market for anti-aging products and services in the private sector. The longevity industry is composed of companies and investors who are developing or commercializing therapies that target the causes or symptoms of aging. These therapies include drugs, supplements, diagnostics, devices, biologics, and digital platforms that aim to extend health span and life span.
The longevity industry is not just about biotechnology and biomedicine. Rather, it consists of several distinct segments, such as:
Geroscience, which is the scientific study of aging and its diseases, and the development of interventions to slow down or reverse aging.
Biomedicine, which is the application of medical science to treat diseases and improve health, especially those related to aging.
AgeTech, which is the emerging subset of the HealthTech sector that focuses on technology to improve the lives of older people, such as wearable devices, smart homes, telemedicine, robotics, etc.
Finance, which is the set of novel financial systems that cater to the needs and opportunities of a longer-lived population, such as longevity insurance, pensions, annuities, etc.
The longevity industry is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years, as more people demand and invest in solutions that can enhance their quality and quantity of life. According to some estimates, the global longevity market could reach $27 trillion by 2025. Some examples of companies and investors that are active in this industry are:
Unity Biotechnology, which is developing senolytic drugs that can selectively kill senescent cells and treat age-related diseases such as osteoarthritis and eye diseases.
Calico, which is a subsidiary of Alphabet that is researching the biology of aging and developing therapies to extend health span and life span.
Juvenescence, which is a biotech company that is creating a portfolio of therapeutics and technologies to address aging and its diseases.
Human Longevity Inc., which is a genomics company that is providing comprehensive health assessments and personalized health care based on genomic data.
Lifespan.io, which is a crowdfunding platform that supports research projects on aging and longevity.
The Longevity Fund, which is a venture capital fund that invests in early-stage companies that are developing therapies for aging and its diseases.
The Social Implications
The prospect of living longer and healthier lives has profound implications for all aspects of society, such as economy, environment, ethics, culture, etc. Some of these implications are positive, while others are challenging. Here are some examples:
Economic growth: A longer-lived population could contribute more to the economy by working longer, spending more, and creating more value. According to one study, increasing the average life span in the US by 10 years could generate $4.1 trillion in additional economic output by 2050.
Environmental impact: A longer-lived population could also consume more resources and produce more waste and emissions. This could exacerbate the existing problems of climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss, etc. Therefore, it is important to adopt sustainable practices and technologies that can reduce our environmental footprint.
The Social Implications
The prospect of living longer and healthier lives has profound implications for all aspects of society, such as economy, environment, ethics, culture, etc. Some of these implications are positive, while others are challenging. Here are some examples:
Economic growth: A longer-lived population could contribute more to the economy by working longer, spending more, and creating more value. According to one study, increasing the average life span in the US by 10 years could generate $4.1 trillion in additional economic output by 2050.
Environmental impact: A longer-lived population could also consume more resources and produce more waste and emissions. This could exacerbate the existing problems of climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss, etc. Therefore, it is important to adopt sustainable practices and technologies that can reduce our environmental footprint.
Ethical issues: A longer-lived population could raise ethical questions about fairness, justice, and human dignity. For example, who should have access to life extension therapies and how should they be distributed? How should we balance the rights and interests of different generations? How should we define the meaning and value of human life?
Cultural changes: A longer-lived population could also affect our social norms and values, such as family structure, education, work, leisure, religion, etc. For example, how would we cope with longer marriages or multiple marriages? How would we plan our careers and education? How would we express our spirituality and morality?
These are just some of the possible social implications of living longer and healthier lives. There may be others that we cannot foresee or anticipate. Therefore, it is important to engage in a dialogue with various stakeholders and experts to explore the potential benefits and challenges of life extension, and to prepare for the changes that it may bring.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed the main ideas of Aubrey de Grey's book Ending Aging, which proposes a radical vision of a future where humans can live indefinitely by repairing the damage that causes aging. We have also looked at the current state of research and development of his proposed therapies, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Finally, we have discussed the social implications of a world where people live longer and healthier lives.
Life extension is not a fantasy or a myth. It is a scientific possibility that could become a reality in this century. It is also a moral imperative that could save millions of lives from suffering and death. However, it is not without risks or challenges that require careful consideration and preparation.
Therefore, we invite you to join us in supporting SENS research and development, and in participating in the longevity movement. Together, we can create a future where aging is no longer a curse, but a choice.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about ending aging:
Is aging a disease?
Aging is not a disease in itself, but it is the root cause of many diseases that affect older people, such as cancer, Alzheimer's, diabetes, etc. Aging is also a degenerative process that reduces our health and function over time. Therefore, some researchers argue that aging should be considered as a disease that can be diagnosed and treated.
How long can we live?
The current record for human longevity is 122 years, held by Jeanne Calment of France. However, some researchers believe that there is no fixed limit to human lifespan, and that it can be extended indefinitely by repairing the damage that causes aging. Others suggest that there may be some intrinsic or extrinsic factors that limit human lifespan to around 150 years.
What are the risks of SENS therapies?
SENS therapies are designed to be safe and effective by targeting only the damage that causes aging, and not interfering with normal biological functions. However, like any medical intervention, they may have some risks or side effects that need to be monitored and managed. Some of these risks or side effects may include:
Infection or inflammation: SENS therapies may involve invasive procedures, such as injections or surgery, that could introduce infection or cause inflammation in the body. These risks can be minimized by using sterile techniques and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Immune reaction: SENS therapies may involve foreign substances, such as enzymes, antibodies, or genes, that could trigger an immune reaction in the body. This could cause allergic reactions or autoimmune diseases. These risks can be minimized by using immunosuppressive drugs or personalized therapies.
Cancer: SENS therapies may involve manipulating cells or genes that could affect the balance between cell growth and cell death. This could increase the risk of cancer or interfere with existing cancer treatments. These risks can be minimized by using cancer screening and prevention methods.
Unintended consequences: SENS therapies may have unknown or unpredictable effects on the body or the environment. For example, eliminating senescent cells could affect tissue regeneration or wound healing. Or introducing novel enzymes could affect the natural ecosystem. These risks can be minimized by conducting rigorous research and testing before applying SENS therapies to humans.
Therefore, it is important to weigh the potential benefits and risks of SENS therapies, and to follow ethical and regulatory guidelines for their development and use.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about ending aging:
Is aging a disease?
Aging is not a disease in itself, but it is the root cause of many diseases that affect older people, such as cancer, Alzheimer's, diabetes, etc. Aging is also a degenerative process that reduces our health and function over time. Therefore, some researchers argue that aging should be considered as a disease that can be diagnosed and treated.
How long can we live?
The current record for human longevity is 122 years, held by Jeanne Calment of France. However, some researchers believe that there is no fixed limit to human lifespan, and that it can be extended indefinitely by repairing the damage that causes aging. Others suggest that there may be some intrinsic or extrinsic factors that limit human lifespan to around 150 years.
What are the risks of SENS therapies?
SENS therapies are designed to be safe and effective by targeting only the damage that causes aging, and not interfering with normal biological functions. However, like any medical intervention, they may have some risks or side effects that need to be monitored and managed. Some of these risks or side effects m