The Fountain of Youth Discovered?

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ImFree's picture
The Fountain of Youth Discovered?

Just recently Harvard scientists discovered a way to reverse aging in mice. Human trials are to begin soon.

Ronald DePinho who led the study said "What we saw in these animals was not a slowing down or stabilization of the aging process. We saw a dramatic reversal – and that was unexpected,"

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2010/nov/28/scientists-reverse-agein...

If this really works, what effects do you think it would have on society?

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xenoview's picture
Humans already live long

Humans already live long lives. We don't need them living for centuries.

mykcob4's picture
Corrupt corporations have

Corrupt corporations have been trying to do this for years. They would love people to pay interest forever.

mbrownec's picture
....or work and consume for

They would love people to pay interest forever.

....or work and consume for an additional 100 years to support the ruling elites. No thanks -- they have enough already.

ImFree's picture
Very true mykob4, how about

Very true mykob4, how about people like the Koch brothers living on and on? Greed would have a whole new life span.

SecularSonOfABiscuitEater's picture
Well it would be interesting

Well it would be interesting to see if those who are religious would jump on the opportunity of longevity. If so, that would speak volumes on the strength of their convictions. Like the belief in Heaven and all the Religious instruction they follow in order to be granted access into it.

As for me? Yeah I love my early 20's I don't mind keeping my body young ;D

ImFree's picture
Can you imagine how it would

Can you imagine how it would affect dating? For example, being attracted to someone old enough to be a great grand parent.

SecularSonOfABiscuitEater's picture
I thought about that when

I thought about that when watching this movie called "In Time" starring Justin Timberlake. In the movie, his mom was super attractive. She looked like she could've be his sister. How could you blame someone for dating out of their age range at that point?

Truett's picture
I can't be the only one that

I can't be the only one that would take extra years?! I wouldn't want to be wrinkled and hobbling around, but if my brain was running fast and my body was healthy I would definetely like to live longer. Hell yeah.

SBMontero's picture
@Truett: Of course not, I

@Truett: Of course not, I would too. It is clear that,although we say the opposite, we would all live as long as we could, and more...

The question is whether the treatment is simple, which would democratize its use, or is complicated and expensive, which would leave the treatment for the rich.

@ImFree: But for what I read doesn't seem to be expensive, or complicated, treatment is just about reactivating the telomerase enzyme, always talking from the complicated of manipulating human genetics.

Jacob's picture
I would not mind looking a

I would not mind looking a phew years younger myself.

Endri Guri's picture
Well, I guess I really don't

Well, I guess I really don't need the fountain of youth for another 16 years. I'm kinda concerned if Dictators pop-up, I mean, imagine in the 20th Century if this technology was discovered back then, Stalin might've still been kicking hard today.

Jacob's picture
You have an very good point

You have an very good point Endri, would we really want Kim,Mugabe,Putin,and so on to live for ever?

ImFree's picture
I wonder how it would affect

I wonder how it would affect laws pertaining to public and private pension plans.

SecularSonOfABiscuitEater's picture
No reverse mortgage until you

No reverse mortgage until you're 162 lol

ImFree's picture
For society as a whole I

For society as a whole I wonder how this would affect people's decisions having children. What percentage of people would want to continue having children at ages not possible before the medical procedure(if it works) was discovered?

If and when the procedure is made available, maybe artificial wombs will also be perfected and most natural childbirth will be practiced by the poor. Women that could afford the cost could not only remain young but not suffer scarring from childbirth.

SecularSonOfABiscuitEater's picture
Sounds like what happened on

Sounds like what happened on Krypton. I watch a lot of movies.. I know.

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