Deleting Genes Can Lengthen Life

Switching off parts of the genetic code could help people live longer, scientists believe Photo: Alamy

One potential problem is that the human body is extremely complex. Scientists may think they know everything but there is much still to learn. As with any huge complex system there may be connections between parts that remain unknown until that part is altered or removed. In the 1960s IBM's OS computer operating system was large. They stopped making fixes, when they learned that every time they fixed one problem another one popped up somewhere else. The human body is more complex and the relationship of the parts remain unknown. The same situation exists with psychiatric drugs. Though they are taken widely by an unsuspecting public there are no medical professionals or scientists who know all of the effects of one of the drugs on the body, no less when these prognosticators prescribe a cocktail of these chemicals. The potential to create unintended problems remains.

[From article]
The secret of extending life by decades may lie in switching off certain genes, scientists believe, after showing that small genetic tweaks can make organisms live 60 per cent longer.
Ten years of research by the Buck Institute for Research on Ageing and the University of Washington has identified 238 genes that, when silenced, increase the lifespan of yeast cells.
Many of the genes are present in mammals, including humans, suggesting that switching them off could dramatically increase lifespan.
“This study looks at aging in the context of the whole genome and gives us a more complete picture of what aging is,” said lead author Dr Brian Kennedy.
"Almost half of the genes we found that affect aging are conserved in mammals.

[. . .]
Earlier this year academics from the University of Southern California found that a five day diet which mimics fasting can slow down ageing, add years to life, boost the immune system and cut the risk of heart disease and cancer.
The plan restricts calories to between one third and a half of normal intake.
Last year the same team discovered that fasting can regenerate the entire immune system, bringing a host of long-term health benefits.
When humans tested out the regimen, within three months they had reduced biomarkers linked to ageing, diabetes, cancer and heart disease as well as cutting overall body fat.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/11925154/Deleting-genes-could-boost-lifespan-by-60-per-cent-say-scientists.html

Deleting genes could boost lifespan by 60 per cent, say scientists
Scientists have discovered more than 200 genes linked to ageing and have found switching them off extends life

By Sarah Knapton, Science Editor
2:26PM BST 11 Oct 2015

Unhealthy Lifestyles Shorten Lives

[From article]

The true cost of an unhealthy lifestyle of little exercise, poor diet and smoking has been quantified by scientists who found that it can reduce lifespan by 23 years.
People who develop largely preventable conditions like heart disease, stroke and type two diabetes are cutting their life short by decades, a 50 year study has shown.
It is estimated that around 80 per cent of cases could be prevented by keeping weight under control, exercising more, eating a healthy diet, and not smoking or drinking too much.
[. . .]
"Everyone should be aware of their risk of developing any of these conditions, and how they can reduce it. If you wait until you have developed one of these conditions before thinking about your wider health, you will already have reduced your life expectancy."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/11723443/Unhealthy-lifestyle-can-knock-23-years-off-lifespan.html

Unhealthy lifestyle can knock 23 years off lifespan
Suffering from heart disease, stroke and type two diabetes could knock 23 years off life and yet they are preventably for eight out of 10 people
By Sarah Knapton, Science Editor
4:00PM BST 07 Jul 2015

Misguided Arbitrary Limitations on Length of Life

This is the brother of the Mayor of Chicago. One flaw in his argument is his obsession with novelty. Must any and all contributions be new? Some of the best work is done improving, or maintaining what is and what is known. This adult appears to have an infantile opinion on the purpose of life. Nazis used to refer to "useless eaters." Then there was the eugenics movement. Why must everyone make novel contributions to humanity? Are people who just live, less valuable? He also indicates an elitism which is shared by the current leaders of government and corporations.

[From article]
It is true, people can continue to be productive past 75—to write and publish, to draw, carve, and sculpt, to compose. But there is no getting around the data. By definition, few of us can be exceptions. Moreover, we need to ask how much of what “Old Thinkers,” as Harvey C. Lehman called them in his 1953 Age and Achievement, produce is novel rather than reiterative and repetitive of previous ideas. The age-creativity curve—especially the decline—endures across cultures and throughout history, suggesting some deep underlying biological determinism probably related to brain plasticity

http://www.theatlantic.com/features/archive/2014/09/why-i-hope-to-die-at-75/379329/

Why I Hope to Die at 75

An argument that society and families—and you—will be better off if nature takes its course swiftly and promptly
Ezekiel J. Emanuel
Photos by Jake Chessum
SEPTEMBER 17, 2014
* * *

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/388787/should-we-hope-die-75-victor-davis-hanson

SEPTEMBER 24, 2014 4:58 PM
Should We Hope to Die at 75?
Contra Ezekiel Emanuel, age is no absolute barometer for human vitality and dignity.
By Victor Davis Hanson

Japanese Raw Fish Green Tea Diet Adds Longevity

[From article]
A new study has revealed their diets rich in raw fish and green tea are helping them to live considerably longer than British women.
Eschewing the Western staples of dairy and bread sees Japanese women live to the ripe old age of 86.4 years on average, much more than British women who live to just 82.7 years.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2612822/Japanese-womens-diet-green-tea-raw-fish-key-healthy-long-life-British-women-look-East-want-live-longer-study-says.html

Japanese women's diet of green tea and raw fish is 'key to healthy, long life': British women should look to the East if they want to live longer, study says
Eschewing dairy and bread sees Japanese women live to average of 86.4
It is four years more than British women who live to just 82.7 years
Japanese diet is rich in wholegrains, vegetables and soy, with less calories
By AMANDA WILLIAMS
Daily Mail (UK)
PUBLISHED: 02:12 EST, 25 April 2014 | UPDATED: 06:42 EST, 25 April 2014

Scientists Suggest Humans May Live to 500

[From article]
Adding the two together might have been expected to extend longevity by 130 per cent, but the combined impact turned out to be much greater.
The research may explain why it has proved so difficult to identify single genes responsible for the long lives enjoyed by human centenarians.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2523086/Could-humans-live-500-years-old-Scientists-believe-genetic-tweaks-significantly-extend-lifespan.html

Could humans live to 500 years old? Scientists believe genetic tweaks could significantly extend our lifespan
Californian scientists tweaked two genetic pathways in the worm Caenorhabditis elegans to amplify its lifespan
They said the worms lived to the human equivalent of 400 to 500 years
Research raises the prospect of anti-ageing treatments based on genetic interactions, and the next step is to investigate if the effects occur in mice
By SARAH GRIFFITHS
Daily Mail (UK)
PUBLISHED: 06:16 EST, 13 December 2013 | UPDATED: 06:40 EST, 13 December 2013

Long LIfe For Men

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2207981/Scientists-secret-living-life-men-bad-news-Castration-key.html

Scientists find the secret of longer life for men (the bad news:
Castration is the key)
By MARK PRIGG
Daily Mail (UK)
PUBLISHED: 13:10 EST, 24 September 2012 | UPDATED: 19:04 EST, 24 September 2012

New Thoughts on Old Advice on Losing Weight

Converted: Michael Mosley believes fasting can 'extend my healthy years' and is sticking with the regime. Mosley is the host of a PBS feature about Pleasure and Pain.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2183677/Why-starvation-diet-actually-good--make-live-longer.html

Warning: This article tells you a starvation diet could actually be good for you - and make you live longer
By VICTORIA FLETCHER
Daily Mail (UK)
PUBLISHED: 16:23 EST, 4 August 2012 | UPDATED: 16:23 EST, 4 August 2012

New Science May Allow Living to 150

[From article]
"Doctors have already doubled the lifespan of a worm."

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/02/14/could-the-next-generation-live-to-be-150/

Seen At 11: Could The Next Generation Live To Be 150?
Experts: Huge Breakthroughs In Science And Technology Could Make It A Reality
February 14, 2012 11:45 PM
CBS News New York NY

Is That All There Is?

'I Hope You Dance... '

This was written by an 83-year-old woman to her friend.

*The last line says it all. *

Dear Bertha,

I'm reading more and dusting less. I'm sitting in the yard and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden. I'm spending more time with my family and friends and less time working.

Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not to endure. I'm trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them.

I'm not "saving" anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special event such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, or the first Amaryllis blossom.

I wear my good blazer to the market. My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries. I'm not saving my good perfume for special parties, but wearing it for clerks in the hardware store and tellers at the bank.

"Someday" and "one of these days" are losing their grip on my vocabulary. If it's worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now

I'm not sure what others would've done had they known they wouldn't be here for the tomorrow that we all take for granted. I think they would have called family members and a few close friends. They might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles. I like to think they would have gone out for a Chinese dinner or for whatever their favorite food was.

I'm guessing; I'll never know.

It's those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew my hours were limited. Angry because I hadn't written certain letters that I intended to write one of these days. Angry and sorry that I didn't tell my husband and parents often enough how much I truly love them. I'm trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives. And every morning when I open my eyes, tell myself that it is special.

Every day, every minute, every breath truly is a gift from God.
"People say true friends must always hold hands, but true friends don't need to hold hands because they know the other hand will always be there."

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance

Live to 100? Soon

[From article]

"No single gene is a guaranteed fountain of youth. Instead, the secret of longevity probably lies in having the right “suite” of genes, according to new studies of centenarians and their families. Such combinations are extremely rare — only one person in 10,000 reaches the age of 100.

The genes found so far each appear to give a little extra protection against the diseases of old age. Centenarians appear to have a high chance of having several such genes embedded in their DNA."

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/science/biology_evolution/article7127753.ece

From The Sunday Times

May 16, 2010

Found: genes that let you live to 100

Jonathan Leake, Environment Editor

More Years of Passes For Women With Brains

More Years of Passes For Women With Brains


http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article6872519.ece

From The Sunday (London) Times
October 18, 2009
Men married to smart women live longer
Swedish scientists have discovered that long life and good health have nothing to do with a man’s education and everything to do with his wife’s
Shane Watson