The man who will end aging?
Some of you may be wondering, who is Aubrey de Grey?
If you haven’t googled the name already, let me summarize. He is a a biomedical gerontologist with a Ph.D. from Cambridge who has come up with a plan to not only reverse aging, but end the process altogether. Does this sound crazy? Well, the scientific community has mixed reviews. Many reputable scientists call him crazy, but there has been no conclusive evidence to prove him wrong either.
Aubrey de Grey says children born today can live to be 500 years old…or older.
He has 7 main theories on how to end aging, which are as follows (Quoted from GQ article by Michael Finkel):
“1. Chromosomes Mutate. Some of these mutations result in tumor-forming cells. The fix: Use gene therapy to prevent cells from generating the enzyme telomerase, which should stem the growth of cancer cells.
2. Mitochondria also mutate. These tiny cellular power plants contain small strands of DNA that are vulnerable to attack by unstable molecules known as free radicals. Over time, this oxidative stress may trigger age-related issues. The fix: Using gene therapy, transfer a backup copy of mitochondrial DNA to the safe house of the nucleus.
3. Cells become clogged. One culprit is a fatty residue called lipofuscin, which clogs cells in the heart. The fix: genetically modify waste-eating enzymes that exist in the soil of graveyards, where they break down human remains, then deliver them to our bodies to break down the junk.
4. Extracellular clogging. As we age, the fluid around our cells becomes crowded with amyloid plaque, which our bodies can’t breakdown. This build up has been associated with Alzheimer’s. The fix: A vaccination that will provoke our immune cells to digest plaque.
5. We get stiff. Molecules that give our body structure bind with other molecules, leading to the hardening of tissues. The fix: Create bond-breaking drugs that will not harm any other molecules.
6. Cells don’t die. Renegade cells disrupt normal cellular processes, likely leading to diabetes and other ailments. The fix: Insert “suicide genes” into our bodies, which will target and destroy unwanted cells. Also, vaccinations.
7. Cells die. Nondividing cells found in the heart and the brain are not replaced when they die. The fix: use periodic stem-cell transfusions that regrow lost cells. “
What do you think? Please leave any comments that come to mind, and for more information, there is the link below, or check out this month’s GQ article on him, in which he lays out his plans for a future without aging.
