Aubrey De Grey who is a Cambridge, U.K, Biomedical Gerontologist and the chief science officer of SENS foundation (Charity based Institute aiming at finding a cure to combat aging) and Jay Olshansky, who is a professor at the University of Illinois, Chicago.
I would suggest you to follow the interesting chat conversion, of pioneers such as Aubrey de Grey and S. Jay Olshanksy – How Long Do You Think We Can Live?
According to Aubrey de Grey, the aim of extending life isn’t simply for the elixir of youth. The emphasis is to prevent old-age illnesses, while the side-effect will most probably be longer lifespans. In addition, very few people know how long they want to live; it is a question that only time can resolve.
On the other hand, S. Jay Olshansky, says that the current state of technology will only enable average humans to live to an age of 85 to 90 years. The longevity will not be influenced much by altering and improving lifestyle factors. It is highly feasible that soon technology advancement will facilitate processes to delay aging. However, such technology doesn’t exist today, and it will probably not exist in the near future as well.
It is certain that over the recent years, mortality rates in elders have been reduced. However, mortality in younger age groups mortality rates are significantly difficult to influence. Indeed, Olshansky says that he believes that life-expectancy can go far beyond 85 years but this is something that will take time, as death risks are severely high at old age. In other words, with advanced age, it is harder to survive and to provide special care.
Source: Next Big future, Science Mag and M Foundation
Related articles:
1. Living For A Thousand Years; Will it be Possible?
2. Is Aubrey De Grey Right? – Can We Live to the Age of 1000
3. Scientists Using the Longevity Dividend Model; Fighting aging at Multiple Levels
Mon, Feb 20, 2012
Anti Aging, Gerontology, Longevity