Scientists have discovered more than 200 genes linked to ageing and have found switching them off extends life.

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.

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Interesting.

This is on yeast so they have a few steps to go before they get to humans, but still.

“Last year the same team discovered that fasting can regenerate the entire immune system, bringing a host of long-term health benefits. “

Probably why Africans live so long.

Peak Warming Man said:

“Last year the same team discovered that fasting can regenerate the entire immune system, bringing a host of long-term health benefits.”

I’ve heard about this apparently there are a large number of people who are actually putting this into practice, to see if it works. I have yet to see even a preliminary result on whether this works for humans.

Keep in mind that humans seen to be in a totally different category when it comes to aging than any other animal. Even with the best medical care possible (better than for humans), mammal childhood mortality is still orders of magnitude greater than humans. Further, only humans among the mammals live long enough to have everything shut down at once, the mortality tables for humans do not in any way resemble those of either any zoo animals or pets.

Reasons unknown.

mollwollfumble said:

Peak Warming Man said:

“Last year the same team discovered that fasting can regenerate the entire immune system, bringing a host of long-term health benefits.”

I’ve heard about this apparently there are a large number of people who are actually putting this into practice, to see if it works. I have yet to see even a preliminary result on whether this works for humans.

Keep in mind that humans seen to be in a totally different category when it comes to aging than any other animal. Even with the best medical care possible (better than for humans), mammal childhood mortality is still orders of magnitude greater than humans. Further, only humans among the mammals live long enough to have everything shut down at once, the mortality tables for humans do not in any way resemble those of either any zoo animals or pets.

Reasons unknown.

Elephants and several Whales live as long or longer than Humans. Plus many non-mammals.

PermeateFree said:

mollwollfumble said:

Peak Warming Man said:

“Last year the same team discovered that fasting can regenerate the entire immune system, bringing a host of long-term health benefits.”

I’ve heard about this apparently there are a large number of people who are actually putting this into practice, to see if it works. I have yet to see even a preliminary result on whether this works for humans.

Keep in mind that humans seen to be in a totally different category when it comes to aging than any other animal. Even with the best medical care possible (better than for humans), mammal childhood mortality is still orders of magnitude greater than humans. Further, only humans among the mammals live long enough to have everything shut down at once, the mortality tables for humans do not in any way resemble those of either any zoo animals or pets.

Reasons unknown.

Elephants and several Whales live as long or longer than Humans. Plus many non-mammals.

actually elephants live about the same.. about 70 in the wild. However the natural demise of an elephant is because of starvation. They only have six sets of teeth in their lifetime, once the last set is gone they cannot chew food and starve to death.

Galapagos Tortoises live up to 150 (171 is the oldest known)

zoo animals ad pets generally live longer across the board. probably because they don’t have the hunt and injury cycle that wild counterparts do

Arts said:

PermeateFree said:

mollwollfumble said:

I’ve heard about this apparently there are a large number of people who are actually putting this into practice, to see if it works. I have yet to see even a preliminary result on whether this works for humans.

Keep in mind that humans seen to be in a totally different category when it comes to aging than any other animal. Even with the best medical care possible (better than for humans), mammal childhood mortality is still orders of magnitude greater than humans. Further, only humans among the mammals live long enough to have everything shut down at once, the mortality tables for humans do not in any way resemble those of either any zoo animals or pets.

Reasons unknown.

Elephants and several Whales live as long or longer than Humans. Plus many non-mammals.

actually elephants live about the same.. about 70 in the wild. However the natural demise of an elephant is because of starvation. They only have six sets of teeth in their lifetime, once the last set is gone they cannot chew food and starve to death.

Galapagos Tortoises live up to 150 (171 is the oldest known)

zoo animals ad pets generally live longer across the board. probably because they don’t have the hunt and injury cycle that wild counterparts do

You last sentence would also apply to people due to our current high standard of living, medical science and hygiene. Going back to our hunter/gathering days our lifespans would have been much shorter than 70 years and more like other great apes and even some monkeys that can reach 40-50 years of age in the wild.

Sea anemones – The creature with the key to immortality?