Dr de Grey, a biomedical gerontologist, is chief science officer at the SENS Research Foundation which conducts counter-ageing research. He argued we could reach the point of longevity escape velocity, when scientific breakthroughs are able to keep pace with the ageing process, in as little as 20 years.
However the leading scientist called for a dramatic increase in funding for research aimed at stopping ageing, arguing it will revolutionise human society.
Speaking to Express.co.uk Dr de Grey stated massive advances in the fight against ageing have been made over the past two decades.
He said: Oh a huge amount of progress has been made - absolutely immense.
Over the past 15 years the whole concept that I first started putting forward about 20 years ago of comprehensively repairing the molecular and cellular damage that the body does to itself throughout life, that concept has become not only totally mainstream; weve seen enormous progress towards actually doing it in the laboratory and even now in the clinic.
There are many different types of damage that need to be repaired which means there are many different therapies that need to be developed, but some of them are already in clinical trials and most of them have got to the point where they will be in clinical trials in the next year or two.
The SENS Research Foundation, based in California, was founded in 2009 to conduct research aimed at halting ageing.
According to Dr de Grey it focuses on early stage research that is unlikely to attract commercial investment.
Asked whether the first human to live to 1,000 years is already alive Dr de Grey predicted they are.
He said: Probably already alive - its very important to be probabilistic about this.
We all know this is early stage research and therefore any timeframe predictions are extremely speculative.
The number of 1,000 years is actually an extremely conservative estimate.
Dr de Grey previously said longevity escape velocity is likely to be reached within 20 years.
Asked if still believes this he replied: I certainly think thats likely.
READ MORE:Donald Trump faces Presidential challenge from Transhumanist
In fact I think my estimate on how long it is before we have an at least 50-50 chance of reaching longevity escape velocity is now about 17 years so its coming down slowly as time goes on.
The definition of the term is the point at which we reach the rate of progress that means we are staying one step ahead of the problem and that the health problems of late life are being postponed faster than time is passing.
And yes I do believe we are definitely getting there.
However Dr de Grey was critical of politicians who he believes need to focus more on the societal effects of radically extended human life.
He commented: The Government always comes last into all of this because ultimately elected representatives main priority is to get reelected and therefore the essence of public policy always follows public opinion rather than leading it.
Theres always a lot of caution amongst the general public in believing progress is really being made against this problem that weve been trying to make progress against since the beginning of civilisation.
READ MORE:Body health deteriorates from 'head to toes' in forties, study reveals
Its beginning to become a conversation within the corridors of power, particularly in the US, but its really only just beginning.
Its crazy that politicians are keeping their heads in the sand like this.
Dr de Grey argued we should expect politicians and wider society to take radical life extension more seriously as technology improves over the next few years.
He asked: How will society change when it becomes the case that most people expect to live a very very long time?
Because that transition of expectation is likely to occur really rather soon.
Whats going to happen is pretty much overnight people are going to go from an expectation that they will live maybe slightly longer than their parents did to an expectation that they will live a very great deal longer.
A huge amount of restructuring of the economy is going to have to happen pretty much at once in order to avoid this transition being really rather turbulent and its about time policy makers started to realise that.
Dr de Grey claimed the main obstacle to research aimed at combatting ageing is the lack of funding.
He said: Even today when this field is becoming much more established it is still really difficult to get enough resources to move as fast as the science allows.
Im quite sure we could be going at least twice as fast if we had one extra digit on our tiny little budget.
Last year the all party parliamentary group on longevity was launched in the UK, though it is primarily focused on managing the ageing population rather than halting ageing itself.
Dr de Grey argued attitudes to ageing amongst the public will shift sharply once the progress towards its abolition he anticipates is made.
He commented: The fundamental problem is that humanity has been aware of ageing since the beginning of civilisation and has been aware that its absolutely horrifying.
Most people have only one way that theyre able to cope with that, namely to put it out of their minds and get on with their lives and make the best of it.
Nobody wants to hear the answers, they want to carry on thinking that ageing is a blessing in disguise so as to not get their hopes up.
Now at some point how close we actually are to achieving this will get to a sufficient stage that the fear of getting ones hopes up can finally be dismissed and people can actually get their hopes up and get emotionally invested in it.
But were not there yet.
Read the original here:
First human to live 1,000 years may already be alive says scientist fighting to end ageing - Express.co.uk
- Offer Ends Soon Ready Version - The Human Longevity Project [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 11th, 2019]
- Human Longevity - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 11th, 2019]
- Longevity - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 11th, 2019]
- Careers Human Longevity, Inc. [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2019]
- Is longevity determined by genetics? - Genetics Home ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2019]
- Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2019]
- Longevity claims - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2019]
- To Love and Mourn an Animal - Sentient Media [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2019]
- Opinion: Entrepreneurs and Their Startup Businesses Need San Diegos Support - Times of San Diego [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2019]
- Overthinking Can Shorten Your Life, Says New Study - International Business Times [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2019]
- Media Advisory: Artificial Intelligence in Health Care, Healthy Longevity, and Human Genome Editing Among Topics at Meeting of Nation's Top Health... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2019]
- Global Longevity & Anti-Senescence Therapy Market Review 2017-2018 and Forecast to 2023 - ResearchAndMarkets.com - Business Wire [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2019]
- LyGenesis Closes $4 Million Convertible Debt Financing to Begin Clinical Development of its Liver Regeneration Technology - PRNewswire [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2019]
- MicroRNA Expression Tied to Triple-Negative Breast Cancer in Latin America - Cancer Network [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2019]
- Thinking deep thoughts has impact on life span - Mother Nature Network [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2019]
- Vulnerability of the industrialized microbiota - Science Magazine [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2019]
- What bamboo forests do for nature and human well-being - Forests News, Center for International Forestry Research [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2019]
- Quorn's secret to longevity in the meat alternative sector - Food Dive [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2019]
- The benefits of intermittent fasting - Starjournalnow [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2019]
- New "Monsterpocalypse" releases: Ulgoth, Apes, and Robots, Oh My! - Bleeding Cool News [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2019]
- The Global Human Microbiome Market Size was Worth $ 461 Million in 2018 and is Forecasted to Reach $ 1,380 Million by 2026, at a CAGR of 17.8% During... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2019]
- Term limits would make Congress members put the country first | Letters - NJ.com [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 10th, 2019]
- This Scientist Believes Aging Is Optional - Outside Magazine [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 10th, 2019]
- Longevity And Anti-Senescence Therapy Market to Witness Stellar Growth Rate in the Next 10 Years during 2023 - Crypto News Byte [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 17th, 2019]
- May's turn to meet Trudeau and 'anti-Alberta' activities; In-The-News Nov. 15 - larongeNOW [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 17th, 2019]
- The Future of Meat - Truthdig [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 24th, 2019]
- Surprising No One, The FBI's Watchdog Says The Agency Is Handling Its Informants Improperly - Techdirt [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 24th, 2019]
- Have Researchers Finally Figured Out Whether Dogs Are Good For Us? - Forbes [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 24th, 2019]
- Can the gut microbiome unlock the secrets of aging? - Medical News Today [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 24th, 2019]
- The disruptive power of disruption - Daily Pioneer [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 24th, 2019]
- Missing Link To Longevity Discovered In The Plant Kingdom - Texas A&M University [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 24th, 2019]
- 30-year-old Harvard study on longevity: Five daily habits to follow for a healthy living - Republic World - Republic World [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2019]
- Extreme C book extract: Exploring structures and user-defined types in C - Developer Tech [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2019]
- Leverates Success Task Force Scheduled to Launch Before the End of 2019 - Finance Magnates [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2019]
- Partnership aims to accelerate cell and gene therapy - Harvard Gazette [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2019]
- The Cost Of Underestimating The Rise Of Women: No Babies - Forbes [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2019]
- What Will We Do When the Sun Gets Too Hot for Earth's Survival? - Scientific American [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2019]
- Beyond Hello Kitty: The beauty of 'Animals in Japanese Art' - Los Angeles Times [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2019]
- Startup of the Week: A Subscription for Anti-Aging Pills... for Mice - Free [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2019]
- Mungo national park: where alien landscapes reveal ancient culture - The Guardian [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2019]
- The New Face of Longevity: Dwayne Clark's Solution to America's Silver Tsunami Crisis and How Living on Stolen Potatoes Made It All Possible -... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2019]
- Liberty Science Centers Inaugural Genius of New Jersey to Honor Innovators Who Make the State a World Leader in Cutting-Edge Applied Science - Yahoo... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2019]
- Zelda Was One of the Greatest Modern Writers of Religious Experience in Any Language - Mosaic [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 26th, 2019]
- Precision Medicine Software Market : The Report Analysis And Overview of Global Market In Term Of Size, Share, Growth And Development 2019-2024 :... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 26th, 2019]
- Making The Jetsons Jealous: Peter Diamandis Says The Future Is Better, And Coming Faster Than You Ever Dreamt - Thrive Global [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 26th, 2019]
- The biological defects that come with age and how to prevent them - Ladders [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 26th, 2019]
- Global Stem Cells Market Growth Driver 2016 2024: By Companies Osiris Therapeutics Inc., STEMCELL Technologies Inc., BIOTIMEInc., Celgene Corporation... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 26th, 2019]
- Startup of the Week: A Subscription for Anti-Aging Pills... for Mice - VICE [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 26th, 2019]
- Phishing Trends Position ISPs to Protect Subscribers - Security Boulevard [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 26th, 2019]
- Longevity And Anti-Senescence Therapy Market: Market Development, Overview and Forecast up to 2023 - Statsflash [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 26th, 2019]
- The pain of a failed investment can be the best teacher of all - Financial Post [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 27th, 2019]
- Were all going to die: Alarmists in our midst - Daily Maverick [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 27th, 2019]
- 12 Powerful Ayurvedic Herbs and Spices with Health Benefits - Healthline [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 27th, 2019]
- Employee Engagement: Everything You Need to Know - HR Exchange Network [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 27th, 2019]
- Wherever The Human Heart Beats @ Alma Tavern - Epigram [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 27th, 2019]
- Fermenting the future of healthy aging - SynBioBeta [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 27th, 2019]
- Liberty Science Center's Inaugural Genius of New Jersey to Honor Innovators Who Make the State a World Leader in Cutting-Edge Applied Science -... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 27th, 2019]
- Rich People Have Access to Better Microbes Than Poor People, Researchers Say - VICE UK [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 27th, 2019]
- Frankenstein vs. The Wolfman: Who Would Win (And Why) - Screen Rant [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 28th, 2019]
- How do consumer DNA tests from the US and China stack up? - Abacus [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 28th, 2019]
- Scott LaFee: Don't Think Too Hard About This - Noozhawk [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 28th, 2019]
- Lewis Hamilton is not only a peerless champion, he is the face of F1 - The Guardian [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2019]
- Recent deaths at Dallas Zoo have seemed notable but aren't out of the ordinary - The Dallas Morning News [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2019]
- Ruth Wishart on Kenneth Roy's diary of living and dying - HeraldScotland [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2019]
- This Marketing Agency Wants To Put The Pleasure Back Into The Sex Tech Business - Forbes [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2019]
- The 1975 Played a Greta Thunberg Speech During Their Grand Prairie Concert - Dallas Observer [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2019]
- Global Warming Is Escalating The El Nio Weather - Science Times [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2019]
- Turkey is a leading NATO member. Its time this commitment was recognised, not criticised View - Euronews [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2019]
- National Spotlight on Ikarian Honey on CBS Sunday Morning News - The Pappas Post [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2019]
- Rich People Have Access to Better Microbes Than Poor People, Researchers Say - VICE [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2019]
- Commentary: We need a major redesign of life - Bend Bulletin [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2019]
- How Bitcoin points to the future of decentralized protest - Decrypt [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 2nd, 2019]
- Pollution woes add to our ongoing survival struggle - Tehelka [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 2nd, 2019]
- Three reasons women live longer than men - Firstpost [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 2nd, 2019]
- Gail Fisher's 'Dog Tracks': Spoiling you dog with extra food could cut short its life - The Union Leader [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 2nd, 2019]
- The L Word: Nobody Rocks a Power Suit and Cufflinks Like Jennifer Beals - IndieWire [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 5th, 2019]
- Cycling Without Age Gives Seniors Access to Biking in Cities Around the Globe - Next City [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 5th, 2019]
- Longevity And Anti-Senescence Therapy Market 2018 Overview, Consumption, Supply, Demand & Insights - Downey Magazine [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 5th, 2019]
- OU voice students learn about the importance of vocal health - 2019 - School of Music, Theatre and Dance - News - OU Magazine - News at OU [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 5th, 2019]
- Purdue taking part in life-long study of dogs health and aging - WTHR [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 5th, 2019]