Will Silicon Valley help us live to 200 and beyond?

Science Weekly

The Guardian

Science

4.2 • 1K Ratings

🗓️ 17 February 2022

⏱️ 13 minutes

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Summary

While Benjamin Franklin’s famous quote about death and taxes remains true for most, the same might not be said for some of the world’s billionaires. And their efforts to extend life are under way. Most recently, a Silicon Valley start-up called Altos Labs signed up a dream team of scientists, including numerous Nobel laureates, with an aim to rejuvenate human cells. Ian Sample speaks to Prof Janet Lord about the science of ageing, extending our health as well as our lifespans, and how old we could actually go. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

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0:35.9	Visit Austin.
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0:37.7	Visit Houston and visit Fort Worth. What's the point in having billions if you don't have enough time to spend it?
0:51.2	Every day a hundred thousand people die of biological aging. No one
0:58.8	so far has escaped this enemy but we're working on advances to actually make that a reality.
1:06.8	Some of the richest people on the planet do seem to be very interested in anti-aging research, and I'm not talking about vampire facials, chemical peals, or anti-rinkle serums.
1:18.0	I know you've thought a lot about the extension of human life, and you think that you may live to 120.
1:25.0	I certainly hope to yes. I'm investing a lot of biotechnology. I think you actually
1:29.8	will need new technology new innovation for us to really have both longer and healthier lives.
1:37.0	In Silicon Valley, a number of billionaire-backed startups are hoping to get to the heart of the biology of aging.
1:45.9	What happens inside our bodies when we get old? And is there a way to interfere with, or as they might
1:51.2	put it, hack these processes.
1:54.0	These aren't new questions of course, but the arrival of another company on the scene has raised fresh hopes of making progress.
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