Longevity Meme News and CommentaryThe latest news, commentary and opinions on healthy life extension and anti-aging concerns.The Non-Negotiable Goodness of Saving Lives- June 17, 2008 From Anne C.: "why is it that whenever a group characterized at least in some part by its members' vulnerability stands to benefit from some emerging development, it is assumed that the impetus falls on the vulnerable group to 'prove' its worth More to the point, why is it not assumed instead that individual lives are of primary value, and that the socioeconomic complications which may arise from saving more lives are just things we're going to have to suck up and deal with ... You don't...http://www.longevitymeme.org/news/view_news_item.cfm?news_id=3729 Massachusetts Funds Embryonic Stem Cell Research- June 17, 2008 State funding programs for embryonic stem cell research continue to be established: "Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick signed a bill on Monday that will direct $1 billion of state funds toward biotechnology over 10 years ... Patrick said the money would support research grants and strengthen facilities used by both public and private scientists. ... Patrick's plan includes $250 million in tax incentives to encourage companies to expand, $250 million in grants for research, fellowships or...http://www.longevitymeme.org/news/view_news_item.cfm?news_id=3728 More Early Damage, More Later Malfunctions- June 16, 2008 The reliability theory of aging is a framework for thinking about how biochemical damage leads to later dysfunction. When we damage ourselves, we pay the price later in an increased risk of disease and a shorter life expectancy. The body is a complex machine, and like all complex machines it runs less reliably as the wear and tear mounts. This research illustrates the point well: "Infections during the first year of life are a marker of increased risk of developing specific types of arthritis...http://www.longevitymeme.org/news/view_news_item.cfm?news_id=3727 Invigorating Old Stem Cells- June 16, 2008 Researchers are working their way around the signalling mechanisms that damp down stem cell activity with age. From EurekAlert!: "As we age, our stem cells are prevented, through chemical signals, from doing their jobs ... the stem cells in old tissue are still ready and able to perform their regenerative function if they receive the appropriate chemical signals. Studies have shown that when old tissue is placed in an environment of young blood, the stem cells behave as if they are young again..http://www.longevitymeme.org/news/view_news_item.cfm?news_id=3726 Aubrey de Grey on Aging Research and the Media- June 13, 2008 Dominick Burton of Ageing Research asked this of biogerontologists: "The main purpose of ageing research at present is NOT to make people young and immortal as is often publicised in the media, but instead to preventcombat disease and disability, allowing everyone to live healthier lives for longer. Is this media representation of ageing research detrimental to the true focus of ageing research If you disagree with the main purpose of ageing research outlined in the question please state why"...http://www.longevitymeme.org/news/view_news_item.cfm?news_id=3725 |