A paper in Nature reports that the antibiotic, rapamycin, currently used for suppressing the immune system in transplant patients and for treating some cancers, has the amazing attribute of extending the life span of mice
However, the NY Times reports that "the researchers do not know how rapamycin secures its anti-aging effect. It could be just halting tumors rather than delaying the aging process in general."
And one aging expert contends, “one of the nasty secrets of the field is that most mouse longevity experiments are done only once in one lab on one genetic background,” said Steven Austad, an expert on aging at the University of Texas Health Science Center, who was not involved in the research.
The NY Times article also states "experts warn that this should not be tried at home."
Still, this is an interesting topic as most of us would probably love to extend our own lives.
However, the NY Times reports that "the researchers do not know how rapamycin secures its anti-aging effect. It could be just halting tumors rather than delaying the aging process in general."
And one aging expert contends, “one of the nasty secrets of the field is that most mouse longevity experiments are done only once in one lab on one genetic background,” said Steven Austad, an expert on aging at the University of Texas Health Science Center, who was not involved in the research.
The NY Times article also states "experts warn that this should not be tried at home."
Still, this is an interesting topic as most of us would probably love to extend our own lives.
