The idea, as we set out in our Technology Quarterly, is to manipulate biological processes associated with ageing that, when dampened in laboratory animals, seem to extend their lives. Some of these are familiar, such as severely restricting the number of calories an animal consumes as part of an otherwise balanced diet. Living such a calorie-restricted life is too much to ask of most people; but drugs that affect the relevant biological pathways appear to bring similar results. One is metformin, which has been approved for use against type-2 diabetes; another is rapamycin, an immunosuppressant used in organ transplants. Early adopters are starting to take these drugs “off label”, off their own bat or by signing what amount to servicing contracts with a new class of longevity firms.
Slowing, let alone reversing, the process of ageing was once alchemical fantasy. Now it is a subject of serious research and investment, Geoffrey Carr reports
In a serious magazine like the Economist, this is a notable event. The intelligentsia are going to be aware of what is possible, and that will open up new doors. Slowing ageing transitions from the fringe to the elite.
Its interesting - we get more visitors here (mostly readers/lurkers) from London than I think we get from New York City… which has surprised me. Perhaps they feel they need to live longer so as to survive the negative repercussions of Brexit
And, below, a video from The Economist, as part of this series. Rapamycin is well represented but Geoff seems to have more enthusiasm for metformin, which I think is a mistake.
So how you do you classify yourself - charlatan, nutter, or serious scientist? I suspect Geoff Carr would put most of us here in the “nutter” category.
On a good day I’m a nutter, on a bad day I’m a serious charlatan. It depends on my mood.
"Sometimes, greatness borders on insanity vs brilliance. I’m comfortable on that edge! " - Michael Lustgarten.
If someone doesn’t soften their inhibitions every now and then they’re just going to repeat what they’ve seen on MSM or learned in school and never think outside the box.
I try to keep up to speed on the science relating to healthspan/longevity. When it comes to up to date and considered scientific analysis I don’t think you can beat Rapamycin.news (which is in part the standard of contributors and in part the sensible moderation from RapAdmin). You cannot really expect a mainstream non specialist outlet like The Economist to get the science up to date and have a good look at the controversies.
A lot of the conferences are the usual suspects going around giving their usual presentations.
I like this paragraph (and the culture is alive and well here)… I think he’s talking about us
Beneath the forest canopy of firms backed by tech royalty an undergrowth of more conventionally financed startups is working on drugs that might slow or stall some aspects of ageing. Even closer to the ground, the idea is catching on of prolonging lifespan and healthspan using pills and potions that are already available, in addition to (and sometimes instead of) the conventional approach of diet, exercise and early-to-bed. A culture of do-it-yourself lifespan extension is emerging, at least in affluent places endowed with the sort of technical expertise and technological hubris identified with Silicon Valley.
I think they are referring there to a geographical location. It would perhaps be interesting to know where on the globe the participants in rapamycin.news actually live or work. My impression is that this forum is global rather than geographical. Perhaps we should set up a mechanism for people to indicate their approximate locations. (ie cities, counties).
I just did some screen captures at some various times of the day… I just missed doing it when you were on the site…
And, a new article by the Economist as part of this series below. Nothing really new for people here, but perhaps interesting to see what is being conveyed to a mainstream audience by publications like the Economist.
