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Researchers Discover Potential Key to Extending Lifespan by 80% – But There’s a Catch

By Ransom Garcia

Researchers Discover Potential Key to Extending Lifespan by 80% – But There’s a Catch

Aging has always scared me. Like the lyrics of the John Mayer song, I feel like I’ve only ever been good at being young. I can’t help but feel all of the bad things that come with getting older. My knees don’t feel as great as they did in my twenties and I’m starting to see more and more gray hairs on my chin and sideburns. That’s why the idea of living to 180, as some researchers at U.C. San Diego are exploring, is both exhilarating and terrifying. On the one hand, it’s a chance to experience more of what life has to offer. On the other hand, it’s a prospect that raises many questions about what it means to be human.

The study found that our cells start to break down as we age, leading to weakened mitochondria and less stable DNA. The same is true for yeast cells, but researchers were able to rewire and trick them to avoid both issues happening simultaneously. By allowing each to take breaks, they were able to slow down the aging process and extend the lifespan of yeast cells by 82%.

(Source: EurekAlert)

Researchers Discover Potential Key to Extending Lifespan by 80% – But There’s a Catch

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  • Proof of Concept

    While this is just a “proof-of-concept” study using yeast cells, researchers believe that the same type of gene therapy could work on human cells as well. However, the safety of such a treatment is a major concern.

     

  • Would YOU Do It?

    Although the idea of living to 180 years old may seem appealing, the reality is that we don’t know what kind of life that would be. The important thing is to focus on living a healthy and happy life, no matter how long or short it may be. But, it’s exciting to think that one day, gene therapy could allow us to extend our lifespan and potentially lead to longer, healthier lives.

  • Is it Possible?

    The YouTube channel “Interesting Engineering” tackled this topic and the comments were very interesting.

    User “Cheesemancer” said: “I want to be immortal because of my fear of death. Until I see a sign of a afterlife I will willingly die.”

    User “Sirijan Thakur” said: “Immortality would also reduce the stress and time pressure of studies, You can potentially take as long as you want to learn everything”

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