Life-Span Extension
The Future
Many companies are trying to extend the life of short-lived species by using drug treatments. Such a strategy could possibly lead to drugs that lead to life prolongation and slower rates of aging. It was shown in 2000 that life extension can be achieved by drug treatment, at least in invertebrates. This is a natural extension of the genetic approach, using life span as a marker. Such a strategy could possibly lead to drugs that prolong life and slow rates of aging. For now, this still seems a distant pipe dream. However, the production of such drugs could be common in the future.
THOMAS E. JOHNSON
See also CENTENARIANS; COMPRESSION OF MORBIDITY; EVOLUTION OF AGING; FRUIT FLIES, DROSOPHILIA; GENETICS: LONGEVITY ASSURANCE; LIFE EXPECTANCY; NEMATODES; NUTRITION; NUTRITION, CALORIC RESTRICTION; PATHOLOGY OF AGING, ANIMAL MODELS.
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Additional topics
Medicine EncyclopediaAging Healthy - Part 3Life-Span Extension - Myths About Life Extension, Scientific Analysis Of Longevity, Centenarians, Life-extension Strategies That Work