I should also point that feeding anti-oxidants to mice to extend life span
has been done at least since the 60's (probably sooner, though I don't
remember the papers). The major problem was that, although a small but
noticeable life exntension can be achieved by feeding anti-oxidants, the
rate of aging and maximum life span do not change in mice fed anti-oxidants.
What this suggests to me is that anti-oxidants -- like exercise, vitamins,
or staying clear of Afghanistan -- might be healthy but do not affect the
process of aging.
>
>As much as I admire the work that Simon and his associates
>are doing it is worth offering a reality check to this discussion.
>
>The SOD2 (MtSOD) defficient mice die ~ 1 week after birth.
>The novel anti-oxidant mimics (SCSs) extend life to 3-4x that lifespan.
>The *normal* mouse lifespan is 2-3 years.
>
>So while the new drugs extend life, they do not come anywhere close
>to the lifespan of a mouse with a normal genome.
>
>I would argue that the real solutions are in genome enhancements
>rather than supplementations of vitamins or gene/protein-mimics.
>
>Of course, the real solutions must be created and subjected to
>scientific analysis before we can do more than grasp at straws.
>
>Robert
>
>
>
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