Download Magazine

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Download Magazine FEATURE ARTICLES 7 COVID-19: What to Ask Your Doctor :@ *0%Ļ#%*#ƈ!0/+"%0$%1) ;> $!* ))1*!1*0%+*ŭ((/+ƈ(%ƈŭ 48 Impact of DHEA on Longevity 58 Combat Immune Senescence LifeExtension.com July 2020 71 Leukemia Patient Case Report 78 Stress Can Increase Infection Risk The Science of Youthful Immune Function PLUS: Many COVID-19 Tests Yield Misleading Results LEMJUL20pCVR.indd 1 5/13/20 9:52 AM BROAD-SPECTRUM IMMUNE SUPPORT Lactoferrin is HJVTWVULU[VMwhey protein ILZ[RUV^UMVYP[Zimmune benefits. (UHYYH`VMW\ISPZOLKZ[\KPLZKLZJYPILZ OV^lactoferrin\WYLN\SH[LZPUUH[L HUKHKHW[P]LimmuneYLZWVUZLZ[VH ]HYPL[`VMHU[PNLUZ For full product description and to order Item #01681࠮TNJHWZ\SLZ Lactoferrin Caps, call 1-800-544-4440 IV[[SL$45 ࠮IV[[SLZ$40 each or visit www.LifeExtension.com (Two-Month Supply) These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. LEMJUL20pIFC.indd 1 5/18/20 1:30 PM CONTENTS LifeExtension.com July 2020 REPORTS 7 ON THE COVER WHAT DOCTORS MAY CONSIDER IF COVID-19 SYMPTOMS WORSEN There are currently available therapies to discuss with physicians that may reduce the risk of a SARS-CoV-2 patient requiring ventilator support. 28 36 48 58 71 78 We also discuss COVID-19 tests 28 LITHIUM: CRITICAL FOR OVERALL HEALTH that are not the panacea portrayed By inhibiting the enzyme GSK-3, lithium can promote longevity, slow by the media and government. brain aging, and improve health parameters. 36 WHEN IMMUNE FUNCTION “FALLS OFF A CLIFF” Standardized botanicals have been shown to improve protective immune factors while reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6). 48 DHEA PROMOTES QUALITY OF LIFE Low levels of the hormone DHEA are associated with systemic aging and mortality. DHEA replacement can improve quality of life and reduce degenerative risks. 58 NATURAL APPROACHES TO IMPROVE IMMUNE FUNCTION Three plant-based compounds can improve immune function by several complementary mechanisms to combat immune senescence. 71 CASE REPORT: LEUKEMIA PATIENT ACHIEVES COMPLETE REMISSION Personalized precision immunotherapy results in complete remission in a terminal leukemia patient. 78 REDUCE THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF STRESS 7 Ongoing stress triggers high levels of cortisol, which can weaken immune function. DEPARTMENTS 19 IN THE NEWS 89 SUPER FOODS Blood pressure meds best taken at Technically a fruit, pecans are rich in night; extra virgin olive oil benefits protein and healthy fats, including the brain; lactoferrin may combat oleic acid. Human and lab studies cancer; obesity-related cancers seen show they can reduce LDL and total at younger ages; even light exercise cholesterol and may cut the risk of boosts longevity. breast cancer. 19 89 JULY 2020 | LIFE EXTENSION | 1 LEMJUL20p.indd 1 5/18/20 2:12 PM Volume 26 • Number Seven LifeExtension.com July 2020 Publisher • LE Publications, Inc. Editorial Editor-in-Chief • Philip Smith Executive Managing Editor • Renee Price Medical Editor • Hernando Latorre, MD, MSc Senior Editor • Dan Jewel Senior Staff Writer • Michael Downey Department Editor • Laurie Mathena Associate Editor • Rivka Rosenberger, EdD Creative Director • Robert Vergara Facebook.com/LifeExtension Twitter.com/LifeExtension Art Director • Alexandra Maldonado For instant access to special For up-to-the-minute health offers and promotions, product tips, breaking industry news, Chief Medical Officer Chief Scientific Officer news, and exclusive health and the latest updates in Steven Joyal, MD Andrew Swick, MS, PhD and wellness information. medical research. Scientific Advisory Board Richard Black, DO • John Boik, PhD • Aubrey de Grey, PhD These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Deborah F. Harding, MD • Steven B. Harris, MD • Sandra C. Kaufmann, MD Peter H. Langsjoen, MD, FACC • Dipnarine Maharaj, MD Customer care is available to take your calls L. Ray Matthews, MD, FACS • Ralph W. Moss, PhD 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 1-800-678-8989 Michael D. Ozner, MD, FACC • Jonathan V. Wright, MD • Xiaoxi Wei, PhD Visit the Life Extension® Contributors Nutrition Center Store East Cypress Creek Rd. Michael Downey • William Faloon • Sarah Lewis N Dipnarine Maharaj, MD, FACP • Laurie Mathena Life Extension • The Most Complete Line of 2 Nutrition Center Jason Meyers • Stepanie Myers Life Extension Supplements Advertising • Blood Testing and Analysis Vice President of Marketing • Rey Searles • [email protected] Federal Highway • Personal Consultation with Atlantic Ocean National Advertising Manager • JT Hroncich • 404-347-4170 Life Extension Product/ East Commercial Blvd. Wellness Specialist Senior Director of Sales and Business Development Carolyn Bouchard • [email protected] • 954-202-7685 Nutrition Center of Florida, Inc., 5990 North Federal Highway, Circulation & Distribution Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308-2633 • Phone: 954-766-8144 Life Extension • 3600 West Commercial Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309 Hours: Monday-Friday 9 am-8 pm, Saturday 9 am-6 pm, Sunday 11 am-5 pm Editorial offices: 954-766-8433 • fax: 954-491-5306 Customer Service: 800-678-8989 • Email: [email protected] Wellness specialists: 800-226-2370 • Email: [email protected] #1 Rated Catalog/Internet Merchant—3-Time Winner Ratings based on results of Life Extension® Magazine values your opinion and welcomes feedback. the 2020 ConsumerLab.com survey Please mail your comments to Life Extension Magazine, Attn: of supplement users. More information at Letters to the Editor, PO Box 407198, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33340 www.ConsumerLab.com/survey. or email us: [email protected] LIFE EXTENSION (ISSN 1524-198X) Vol. 26, No. 7 ©2020 is published monthly except bi-monthly in April by LE Publications, Inc. at 3600 West Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309-3338. LE Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Published 13 times a year. Subscription rate: $40 per year in the United States. US $47 in Canada. US $60 in other countries. Mail subscriptions or address changes to: LE Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 407198, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33340-7198, USA. Or phone us toll-free at: 1-800-841-5433. Canada Subscriptions: Publications mail agreement num- ber 40028967. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to PO Box 503, RPO West Beaver Creek, Richmond Hill, ON L4B4R6. You will be sent your first issue within six weeks after LE Publications, Inc. receives your subscription fee. Periodicals Postage paid at Fort Lauderdale, FL and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Life Extension, P.O. Box 407198, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33340-7198, USA. Printed in USA. The articles in this magazine are intended for informational purposes only. They are not intended to replace the attention or advice of a physi- cian or other health-care professional. Anyone who wishes to embark on any dietary, drug, exercise, or other lifestyle change intended to prevent or treat a specific disease or condition should first consult with and seek clearance from a qualified health-care professional. LEGAL NOTICE: Health claims contained in articles and advertisements in this publication have not been approved by the FDA with the exception of FDA-approved, qualified health claims for calcium, antioxidant vitamins, folic acid and EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids, and selenium as noted where applicable. Life Extension ® Magazine does not endorse any of the businesses or the products and/or services that may appear in advertisements for non-Life Extension branded products or services contained in it, except to state that they are advertisers who may have paid Life Extension for placement of an advertisement in this publication. Life Extension disclaims any and all responsibilities or warranties as to the accuracy of information contained in advertisements for non-Life Extension branded products or services. For Canadian customers send change of address information and blocks of undeliverable copies to P.O. Box 1051, Fort Erie, ON L2A 6C7. 2 | LIFE EXTENSION | JULY 2020 LEMJUL20p.indd 2 5/14/20 2:07 PM LLow-Costow-Cost Enzymatically Active Vitamins BioActive Complete B-Complex provides BBiologicallyiologically enzymatically active forms of meaningful AActivective potencies of each B vitamin. This includes the pyridoxal ’-phosphate form of vitamin B shown to protect lipids and proteins against glycation and the most biologically active form of folate called -methyltetrahydrofolate (-MTHF), which is up to times more bioavailable than folic acid.* Item # • vegetarian capsules CCOMPLEXOMPLEX bottle $ B bottles $ each For full product description and to order BioActive Complete B-Complex, call --- or visit www.LifeExtension.com Reference * Br J Pharmacol. 2004 Mar;141(5):825-30. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. LEMJUL20p.indd 3 5/13/20 4:55 PM MEDICAL ADVISORY BOARD Gustavo Tovar Baez, MD, operates the Life Mitchell J. Ghen, DO, PhD, holds a doc- Herbert Pardell, DO, FAAIM, practices internal Extension Clinic in Caracas, Venezuela. He is torate in holistic health and anti-aging medicine at the Emerald Hills Medical Center the first physician in Caracas to specialize in and serves on the faculty of medicine in Hollywood, FL. He is a medical director of anti-aging medicine. at the Benemerita Universidad Autonoma the Life Extension
Recommended publications
  • The Lived Experience of Being a Hundred Years and Over
    The lived experience of being a hundred years and over By Ashwina Naiker-Ratan A thesis submitted to Victoria University of Wellington in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Health Research Victoria University of Wellington 2016 ABSTRACT The twentieth century has seen a decline in mortality after the age of eighty and an increase in survival rates of the oldest of the old. Centenarians (people over a hundred years of age) are the fastest growing group of this population in developed countries; however qualitative research on the oldest of the old is limited. The primary aim of this study was to gain an understanding of the essence of lived experiences and meanings of extended longevity as perceived by centenarians. It also aimed to explore the role of lifestyle characteristics, family, social, health and cultural factors in regards to their prolonged existence. The research was conducted with ten centenarians aged between 100 and 106 years living in the Lower North Island namely Wairarapa, Kapiti and Wellington of Aotearoa New Zealand. Biographical Narrative Interpretive Method of inquiry was used to guide the data collection through face-to-face interviews using unstructured open ended questions. Colazzi’s phenomenological framework was employed for data analysis. There were common patterns throughout the life stories related by the centenarians and resilience and acceptance of life was notable. The centenarians spoke nonchalantly about their experience of turning a hundred, describing their birthday as; “Just another day.” Positive personalities and resilient nature were prominent features of the participants who all expressed a sense of acceptance and satisfaction with life and contentment with living in the present.
    [Show full text]
  • Biogerontology: a Novel Tool to Stay Healthy in Old Age
    MoPAct Policy Brief: 5 Biogerontology: a novel tool to stay healthy in old age Policy priority Healthy lifestyle interventions in particular regarding nutrition and vaccination need to be implemented early in life with a lifecourse perspective. Summary: Key findings: • Accumulating evidence from experimental studies shows that aging is not inevitably linked with the development of chronic diseases. • Only 20-25% of healthy life expectancy (HLE) is predetermined by genes; lifestyle and environment play a major role. • Age-associated accumulation of molecular and cellular damage can be prevented or greatly delayed by lifestyle interventions e.g. dietary manipulations. • Classical strategies (e.g. nutrition, exercise, vaccination) require broad communication to public. • Novel strategies (e.g. dietary interventions, novel drugs, stem cells) need successful translation from the understanding of molecular mechanism to animal models to clinic. • To be successful interventions need to be started early Figure 1. Strategies to increase HLE. (1) Classical interventions include nutrition, exercise, vaccination, no smoking/alcohol/drugs. (2) Novel interventions include in life with a life-course perspective. dietary interventions, clearance of senescent and damaged cells, mitohormetics, stem cells, drugs against inflammation, rejuvenation factors from blood, telomeres, Background: epigenetic drugs, chaperons and proteolytic systems (novel interventions adapted from López-Otín et al., Cell 2013). Population aging is progressing fast in all developed countries. Aging is associated with the development of multiple serious chronic illnesses, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart Prevention disease, stroke, cancer, cognitive impairment and increased Prevention prior to the development of age-associated diseases morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases. As people is key for successful aging.
    [Show full text]
  • Longevity Extension from a Socioeconomic Perspective: Plausibility, Misconceptions, and Potential Outcomes
    Sound Decisions: An Undergraduate Bioethics Journal Volume 2 Issue 1 Article 4 2016-12-15 Longevity Extension from a Socioeconomic Perspective: Plausibility, Misconceptions, and Potential Outcomes Eric Ralph University of Puget Sound Follow this and additional works at: https://soundideas.pugetsound.edu/sounddecisions Part of the Bioethics and Medical Ethics Commons Recommended Citation Ralph, Eric (2016) "Longevity Extension from a Socioeconomic Perspective: Plausibility, Misconceptions, and Potential Outcomes," Sound Decisions: An Undergraduate Bioethics Journal: Vol. 2 : Iss. 1 , Article 4. Available at: https://soundideas.pugetsound.edu/sounddecisions/vol2/iss1/4 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Publications at Sound Ideas. It has been accepted for inclusion in Sound Decisions: An Undergraduate Bioethics Journal by an authorized editor of Sound Ideas. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Ralph: Longevity Extension Longevity Extension from a Socioeconomic Perspective: Plausibility, Misconceptions, and Potential Outcomes Eric Ralph Introduction In the last several decades, a significant amount of progress has been made in pursuits to better understand the process of aging and subsequently gain some level of control over it. Current theories of aging are admittedly lacking, but this has not prevented biogerontologists from drastically increasing the longevity of yeast, drosophilae, worms, and mice (Vaiserman, Moskalev, & Pasyukova 2015; Tosato, Zamboni et al. 2007; Riera & Dillin 2015). Wide-ranging successes with gene therapy and increased comprehension of the genetic components of aging have also recently culminated in numerous successes in extending the longevity of animals and the first human trial of a gene therapy to extend life through telomerase manipulation is already underway, albeit on a small scale (Mendell et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Worms Under Stress: Unravelling Genetic Complex Traits Through Perturbation
    Worms under stress: unravelling genetic complex traits through perturbation Miriam Rodriguez Sanchez Thesis committee Promotor Prof. Dr Jaap Bakker Professor of Nematology Wageningen University Co-promotor Dr Jan E. Kammenga Associate professor, Laboratory of Nematology Wageningen University Other members Prof. Dr Bas J. Zwaan, Wageningen University Prof. Dr Hendrik.C. Korswagen, Hubrecht Institute, Utrecht Prof. Dr Ellen Nollen, European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing (ERIBA), Groningen Dr Gino B. Poulin, University of Manchester, United Kingdom This research was conducted under the auspices of the Graduate School of Production Ecology and Resource Conservation (PE&RC). Worms under stress: unravelling genetic complex traits through perturbation Miriam Rodriguez Sanchez Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of doctor at Wageningen University by the authority of the Rector Magnificus Prof. dr. M.J. Kropff, in the presence of the Thesis Committee appointed by the Academic Board to be defended in public on Friday 14 March 2014 at 11 a.m. in the Aula. Miriam Rodriguez Sanchez Worms under stress: unravelling genetic complex traits through perturbation 130 pages PhD thesis, Wageningen University, Wageningen, NL (2014) With references, with summaries in Dutch and English ISBN: 978-94-6173-851-6 A mi padre CONTENTS Contents Chapter 1 General Introduction ........................................................................... 3 Chapter 2 C. elegans stress response and its relevance to complex human disease and aging ................................................. 15 Chapter 3 Uncovering genotype specific variation of Wnt signaling in C. elegans .................................................................... 33 Chapter 4 Genetic variation for stress-response hormesis in C. elegans life span ......................................................................... 55 Chapter 5 Molecular confirmation of trans-regulatory eQTL in C.
    [Show full text]
  • From Here to Immortality: Anti-Aging Medicine
    FromFrom HereHere toto Immortality:Immortaalitty: AAnti-AgingAnnntti-AAgging MMedicineedicine Anti-aging medicine is a $5 billion industry. Despite its critics, researchers are discovering that inter ventions designed to turn back time may prove to be more science than fiction. By Trudie Mitschang 14 BioSupply Trends Quarterly • October 2013 he symptoms are disturbing. Weight gain, muscle Shifting Attitudes Fuel a Booming Industry aches, fatigue and joint stiffness. Some experience The notion that aging requires treatment is based on a belief Thear ing loss and diminished eyesight. In time, both that becoming old is both undesirable and unattractive. In the memory and libido will lapse, while sagging skin and inconti - last several decades, aging has become synonymous with nence may also become problematic. It is a malady that begins dete rioration, while youth is increasingly revered and in one’s late 40 s, and currently 100 percent of baby boomers admired. Anti-aging medicine is a relatively new but thriving suffer from it. No one is immune and left untreated ; it always field driven by a baby- boomer generation fighting to preserve leads to death. A frightening new disease, virus or plague? No , its “forever young” façade. According to the market research it’s simply a fact of life , and it’s called aging. firm Global Industry Analysts, the boomer-fueled consumer The mythical fountain of youth has long been the subject of base will push the U.S. market for anti-aging products from folklore, and although it is both natural and inevitable, human about $80 billion now to more than $114 billion by 2015.
    [Show full text]
  • Shared Ageing Research Models (Sharm): a New Facility to Support Ageing Research
    Biogerontology (2013) 14:789–794 DOI 10.1007/s10522-013-9457-0 METHOD Shared Ageing Research Models (ShARM): a new facility to support ageing research Adele L. Duran • Paul Potter • Sara Wells • Tom Kirkwood • Thomas von Zglinicki • Anne McArdle • Cheryl Scudamore • Qing-Jun Meng • Gerald de Haan • Anne Corcoran • Ilaria Bellantuono Received: 5 July 2013 / Accepted: 16 August 2013 / Published online: 2 October 2013 Ó The Author(s) 2013. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com Abstract In order to manage the rise in life expec- Wellcome Trust, open to all investigators. It collects, tancy and the concomitant increased occurrence of stores and distributes flash frozen tissues from aged age-related diseases, research into ageing has become murine models through its biorepository and provides a strategic priority. Mouse models are commonly a database of live ageing mouse colonies available in utilised as they share high homology with humans and the UK and abroad. It also has an online environment show many similar signs and diseases of ageing. (MICEspace) for collation and analysis of data from However, the time and cost needed to rear aged communal models and discussion boards on subjects cohorts can limit research opportunities. Sharing of such as the welfare of ageing animals and common resources can provide an ethically and economically endpoints for intervention studies. Since launching in superior framework to overcome some of these issues July 2012, thanks to the generosity of researchers in but requires dedicated infrastructure. Shared Ageing UK and Europe, ShARM has collected more than Research Models (ShARM) (www.ShARMUK.org) 2,500 tissues and has in excess of 2,000 mice regis- is a new, not-for-profit organisation funded by tered in live ageing colonies.
    [Show full text]
  • Viewer Comments
    Article Oxylipin biosynthesis reinforces cellular senescence and allows detection of senolysis Graphical abstract Authors Christopher D. Wiley, Rishi Sharma, Sonnet S. Davis, ..., Marco Demaria, Arvind Ramanathan, Judith Campisi Correspondence [email protected] (C.D.W.), [email protected] (A.R.), [email protected] (J.C.) In brief Senolytics, transgenic, and pharmacological interventions that selectively kill senescent cells are currently in clinical trials aiming to treat age-related degenerative pathologies. Here, Wiley et al. discover that senescent cells produce multiple signaling lipids known as oxylipins. One oxylipin, dihomo-15d-PGJ2, promotes features of senescence by activating RAS and is released from cells during senolysis, serving as the first biomarker of the Highlights process in culture and in vivo. d Senescent cells make several oxylipins, dihomo- prostaglandins, and leukotrienes d Dihomo-15d-PGJ2 is intracellular during senescence and released during senolysis d Dihomo-15d-PGJ2 activates RAS, promoting senescence and the SASP d Positive feedback between prostaglandins, RAS, and p53 maintains senescence Wiley et al., 2021, Cell Metabolism 33, 1–13 June 1, 2021 ª 2021 Published by Elsevier Inc. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2021.03.008 ll Please cite this article in press as: Wiley et al., Oxylipin biosynthesis reinforces cellular senescence and allows detection of senolysis, Cell Metabolism (2021), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2021.03.008 ll Article Oxylipin biosynthesis reinforces cellular senescence and allows detection of senolysis Christopher D. Wiley,1,2,* Rishi Sharma,1 Sonnet S. Davis,1 Jose Alberto Lopez-Dominguez,1 Kylie P. Mitchell,1 Samantha Wiley,1 Fatouma Alimirah,1 Dong Eun Kim,1 Therese Payne,1 Andrew Rosko,1 Eliezer Aimontche,1 Sharvari M.
    [Show full text]
  • Read Our New Annual Report
    The seeds of a concept. The roots of an idea. The potential of a world free of age-related disease. Photo: Sherry Loeser Photography SENS Research Foundation Board of Directors Barbara Logan, Chair Bill Liao, Secretary Kevin Perrott, Treasurer Michael Boocher Jonathan Cain Kevin Dewalt Michael Kope Jim O’Neill Frank Schüler Sherry Loeser Photography 2 Contents CEO Letter (Jim O’Neill) 4 Finances 5 Donors 6 - 7 Fundraising & Conferences 8 - 9 Around the World with Aubrey de Grey 10 Outreach 11 Founding CEO Tribute & Underdog Pharmaceuticals 12 - 13 Investments 14 Welcome New Team Members 15 Education 16 - 17 Publications & Research Advisory Board 18 Research Summaries 19 - 22 Ways to Donate 23 The SRF Team Front row: Anne Corwin (Engineer/Editor), Amutha Boominathan (MitoSENS Group Lead), Alexandra Stolzing (VP of Research), Aubrey de Grey (Chief Science Officer), Jim O’Neill (CEO), Bhavna Dixit (Research Associate). Center row: Caitlin Lewis (Research Associate), Lisa Fabiny-Kiser (VP of Operations), Gary Abramson (Graphics), Maria Entraigues-Abramson (Global Outreach Coordinator), Jessica Lubke (Administrative Assistant). Back row: Tesfahun Dessale Admasu (Research Fellow), Amit Sharma (ImmunoSENS Group Lead), Michael Rae (Science Writer), Kelly Protzman (Executive Assistant). Not Pictured: Greg Chin (Director, SRF Education), Ben Zealley (Website/Research Assistant/ Deputy Editor) Photo: Sherry Loeser Photography, 2019 3 From the CEO At our 2013 conference at Queens College, Cambridge, I closed my talk by saying, “We should not rest until we make aging an absurdity.” We are now in a very different place. After a lot of patient explanation, publication of scientific results, conferences, and time, our community persuaded enough scientists of the feasibility of the damage repair approach to move SENS and SENS Research Foundation from the fringes of scientific respectability to the vanguard of a mainstream community of scientists developing medical therapies to tackle human aging.
    [Show full text]
  • HCB 524 — Transhumanism
    HCB 524 Special Topic in Bioethics Fall Semester, 2019. Tuesdays 6-8:30pm. Instructor of Record: Adam Sepe, MA, MLS(ASCP)cm [email protected] Course Description: Transhumanism and [Human?] Dignity. Throughout human history — and prehistory for that matter — technological advancement has drastically altered every aspect of human life. Most of us will say that many advents — such as cooking and the wheel — have been largely, if not entirely, beneficial. Would we say the same of all technology? Surely each of us can list technologies that have, in the very least, some considerable downsides. So while history and experience can tell us that some technologies are beneficial and that some other technologies are harmful, how can we know what kind of impact future technology will have? For now we can’t, and so all we can do is try, to the best of our ability, to imagine such futures and develop our technology with these considerations in mind. ‘Transhumanism’ refers a diverse collection of ideas that have one at least thing in common: through future technology, humanity will be fundamentally altered to an unprecedented degree. Some even believe there will come a time when, through our own action, the word ‘human’ will be obsolete; that we will be succeeded by entities (or an entity) for which ‘human’ does not apply. Most people who identify as transhumanists are, to varying degrees, proponents of such technology. They are in favor of such alterations and they argue that these will be beneficial. In this course, we will take a critical look at transhumanist claims.
    [Show full text]
  • Syllabus 2018
    FINAL DRAFT Summer One Semester 2018 HCB 504 BIOTECHNOLOGY: Special Topics Room 067 Mondays, Tuesday, Thursdays 6 – 8:30 pm Instructor of Record: Migdal, Kobba, Post Phyllis Migdal, MD MA [email protected] Timothy Kobba MA [email protected] Stephen Post PhD [email protected] Course Description: Dignity and Biomedical Aspirations – Therapy, Enhancement & Transhumanism The three “supers” of transhumanism are not just “science fiction.” Super-longevity, super-happiness, and super-intelligence, along with perfect babies, are works-in-progress at the interface of “old” evolved human nature as we have known it and technical progress toward the posthuman of our own creation. With the astonishing biotechnological powers that are increasingly reshaping nature and human nature, are we in a “transitional state” (transhumanism) en route to a redesigned posthuman future in which current limitations are overcome? Four centuries ago, Francis Bacon announced the biological utopia of the future in his The New Atlantis, replete with fountains of youth and chimeras. The term “transhumanism” was originally coined by the British biologist philosopher Julian Huxley in a 1957 essay to capture the ways in which social institutions could supplant evolution in refining and improving the species, as could technology. Sensory perception, emotive ability, cognitive capacity, health and life spans could all be augmented. The term was taken over in the 1990s by British philosopher Max More, who began defining the principles
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 9. Myths of Life Extension
    Chapter 9. Myths of Life Extension Ever since humans became fully aware that they will get old and die, individuals must have wondered about the possibility of extending longevity, or achieving immortality on earth. This has resulted in innumerable myths relating to supposed examples of life-extension, one of the most notable being the 969 year lifespan of Methuselah, as recorded in the Bible. Christian fundamentalists are liable to say that in those days people lived much longer than they do today! These are many other claims, and far too many to list here. The Guiness Book of Records has stated that maximum lifespans of people and animals are some of the hardest records to document. Some of the claims of human longevity have occurred in the 20th century, and as in some cases they were initially accepted by scientists, and they provide good examples of how people are deceived. Many people living in the Caucasus region of the ex-Soviet Union claimed their ages were over 120 years, or even 160 years. There was even a touring troup of centenarian dancers, so it is not surprising the claims received wide publicity, and also wide acceptance. The oldest people were usually males which is intrinsically unlikely as human females live longer that males. Careful scrutiny of these cases, particularly by the gerontologist Zhores Medvedev, has shown that none are backed up by reliable records. In some cases, individuals took on the identity of their father, in others they exaggerated their age to escape military conscription, or they simply added on years, because the societies in which they lived respected the wisdom and experience of very old people.
    [Show full text]
  • Prospects for Curing Aging
    REJUVENATION RESEARCH Volume 17, Number 5, 2014 ª Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. DOI: 10.1089/rej.2014.1580 The Scientific Quest for Lasting Youth: Prospects for Curing Aging Joa˜o Pedro de Magalha˜es Abstract People have always sought eternal life and everlasting youth. Recent technological breakthroughs and our growing understanding of aging have given strength to the idea that a cure for human aging can eventually be developed. As such, it is crucial to debate the long-term goals and potential impact of the field. Here, I discuss the scientific prospect of eradicating human aging. I argue that curing aging is scientifically possible and not even the most challenging enterprise in the biosciences. Developing the means to abolish aging is also an ethical endeavor because the goal of biomedical research is to allow people to be as healthy as possible for as long as possible. There is no evidence, however, that we are near to developing the technologies permitting radical life extension. One major difficulty in aging research is the time and costs it takes to do experiments and test interventions. I argue that unraveling the functioning of the genome and developing predictive computer models of human biology and disease are essential to increase the accuracy of medical interventions, including in the context of life extension, and exponential growth in informatics and genomics capacity might lead to rapid progress. Nonetheless, developing the tools for significantly modifying human biology is crucial to intervening in a complex process like aging. Yet in spite of advances in areas like regenerative medicine and gene therapy, the development of clinical applications has been slow and this remains a key hurdle for achieving radical life extension in the foreseeable future.
    [Show full text]