This is an old story for regular readers, but I’ll restate it anyway: people are dying of aging at a rate of something more than a hundred thousand lives a day. It is a mark of our inventive ongoing engagement with ways and means of death that despite this vast toll, aging still only manages to kill two thirds of us – and that in this era of comparatively advanced medicine, comparative peace, and comparative risk aversion.
Biotechnology is today’s revolutionary industry in the making. Costs are falling, capabilities increasing just as dramatically as happened for computers two decades ago. We could be well on the way to removing aging as a cause of death at this point. A detailed plan is in hand, the way forward to achieve the goal of rejuvenation biotechnology is as clear as life science research ever gets, and the cost of an initial demonstration of rejuvenation in mice is ten years and a sum of money that’s a rounding error in comparison what is spent on developing new and better ways to kill people.
Here’s the thing, though, the point that’s enough to make bitter old folk of us all: we’re not actually well on the way to removing aging as a cause of death. We could be, but we’re not – we’re only just getting started at a time when we could be far further ahead, and we’re moving slowly when we could be moving far faster. The hard-won funding and solid research programs for SENS and related initiatives are a trickle where a river is needed. You have to start at the start, of course, and every flood of effort started with a few drops back at the beginning. Nonetheless the flood does not yet exist, despite every reason for it to do so: a hundred thousand lives a day, the suffering of hundreds of millions more, and yet it’s hard to get anyone to care enough to even think much about the topic, let alone do anything to help stop it from happening.
Where is rationality in all this? It’s that the world is an asylum, run by the inmates, that makes people bitter before their time. To a first approximation those with resources build wars and circuses, and sometimes throw a crust to to the few who work on making the human condition better than it was yesterday. Those without resources heartily support this strategy, even while they owe pretty much every affordable comfort to work accomplished by a few centuries of researchers and developers – the tiny crust-fed minorities of their time.
Over at Edge, you’ll find a commentary from Aubrey de Grey on the topic of human rationality and the high cost of its absence in matters relating to support of medical research aimed at human rejuvenation:
Visionary topics are of necessity long-term, hence high risk, and of almost equal necessity high gain. In the area of medical research, for example, the question must be raised: are we benefiting the most people, to the greatest extent, with the highest probability, by the current distribution of research funding? In all such areas that I can think of, the fundamental bias apparent in public opinion and public policy is in favour of approaches that might, arguably (often very arguably), deliver modest short-term benefits but which offer pretty much no prospect of leading to more effective, second-generation approaches down the road. The routes to those second-generation approaches that show the best chance of success are, by contrast, marginalised as a result of their lack of “intermediate results”.
We should be very, very worried about this. I would go so far as to say that it is already costing masses – masses – of lives, by slowing down life-saving research. And how hard is it to address, really? How hard is Bayes’ Theorem, really? I would assert that the single most significant thing that those who understand the issue I have highlighted here can do to benefit humanity is to agitate for better understanding of probabilistic reasoning among policy-makers, opinion-formers and thence the public.
- Vitamin K Delivers Kick to Cancer Risk [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 7th, 2010]
- Magnesium for Memory [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 7th, 2010]
- The Long Road Towards Prosthetic Nerves [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2010]
- More on DAF-16 and Longevity in Nematodes [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2010]
- Rapamycin and Alzheimer's Disease [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2010]
- Rapamycin and Alzheimer's Disease [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2010]
- Better Understanding Cytomegalovirus [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2010]
- On Mitophagy and Aging [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2010]
- A Trial of Giving Stem Cells Orders [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2010]
- Methuselah Foundation Launches NewOrgan Prize [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2010]
- The Contributions of Mitochondria to Longevity [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2010]
- Dual Action Antibodies Versus Cancer [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2010]
- Longevity and the End of Empire [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2010]
- The Long Road Towards Prosthetic Nerves [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- More on DAF-16 and Longevity in Nematodes [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- Rapamycin and Alzheimer’s Disease [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- Better Understanding Cytomegalovirus [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- On Mitophagy and Aging [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- A Trial of Giving Stem Cells Orders [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- Methuselah Foundation Launches NewOrgan Prize [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- The Contributions of Mitochondria to Longevity [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- Dual Action Antibodies Versus Cancer [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- Longevity and the End of Empire [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2010]
- Longevity Meme Newsletter, April 12 2010 [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2010]
- Printing New Tissue Directly Onto the Body [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2010]
- Reprogramming Autoimmune Disease [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2010]
- Diet and Exercise Can Override the Genetic Disposition towards Obesity [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2010]
- Your Heart Truly Loves Chocolate! [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2010]
- CSC news roundup 2010-04-11 [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 13th, 2010]
- Longevity Meme Newsletter, April 12 2010 [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 13th, 2010]
- Printing New Tissue Directly Onto the Body [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 13th, 2010]
- Reprogramming Autoimmune Disease [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 13th, 2010]
- Diet and Exercise Can Override the Genetic Disposition towards Obesity [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 13th, 2010]
- Your Heart Truly Loves Chocolate! [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 13th, 2010]
- Trialing Stem Cells to Heal Heart Damage [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 13th, 2010]
- Selection Effects and Longevity Genes [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 13th, 2010]
- How Exercise Can Awaken Your Creative Genius Within [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 13th, 2010]
- Trialing Stem Cells to Heal Heart Damage [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- Selection Effects and Longevity Genes [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- How Exercise Can Awaken Your Creative Genius Within [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- WILT, ALT, and Zscan4 [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- Damage in Early Life Shortens Life Expectancy [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- WILT, ALT, and Zscan4 [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 15th, 2010]
- Damage in Early Life Shortens Life Expectancy [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 15th, 2010]
- Synthetic Biology and the Extracellular Matrix [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 15th, 2010]
- The Tithonus Error as Prospection Error [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 15th, 2010]
- F.D.A. Says Millions Got Unapproved Drugs, Should the new bioequivalence and bioanalytical guidelines for 2010, be made more stringent [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2010]
- Synthetic Biology and the Extracellular Matrix [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2010]
- The Tithonus Error as Prospection Error [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2010]
- Towards an Artificial Pancreas [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2010]
- Immortality Isn't Unethical [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2010]
- Immortality Isn't Unethical [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2010]
- Alcohol in Adolescence: A Cancerous Combination? [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2010]
- Green Tea for Weight Loss [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2010]
- Towards an Artificial Pancreas [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2010]
- Immortality Isn’t Unethical [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2010]
- Alcohol in Adolescence: A Cancerous Combination? [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2010]
- Green Tea for Weight Loss [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2010]
- On Calorie Restriction Research [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2010]
- AGE Precursor Methylglyoxal Also an Issue? [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2010]
- On Calorie Restriction Research [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 18th, 2010]
- AGE Precursor Methylglyoxal Also an Issue? [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 18th, 2010]
- Longevity Meme Newsletter, April 19 2010 [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2010]
- Let Them Eat Wheat [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2010]
- An Appetite for Alzheimer’s Avoidance [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2010]
- Steps Towards Controlling Regeneration [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2010]
- Another View of What to Do About Aging [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2010]
- Rare flowers and common herbal supplements get unmasked with plant DNA barcoding [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 21st, 2010]
- Steps Towards Controlling Regeneration [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 21st, 2010]
- Another View of What to Do About Aging [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 21st, 2010]
- Stopping Metastasis [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 21st, 2010]
- Humanity+ Summit at Harvard [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 21st, 2010]
- Stopping Metastasis [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2010]
- Humanity+ Summit at Harvard [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2010]
- An Update on Scent and Longevity [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2010]
- Tissue Engineered Skin Progresses [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2010]
- Because Someone Has to State the Obvious [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 23rd, 2010]
- Deciphering Regeneration [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 23rd, 2010]
- Politics and Historical Aspirations to Engineered Longevity [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2010]
- Exercise and Alzheimer's Disease [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2010]