Has the first person to become immortal already been born? Scientist Aubrey de Grey thinks so..

In the field of biogerontology, Aubrey de Grey has garnered significant attention with his groundbreaking ideas about aging. He suggests that the first person to achieve immortality may have already been born. While this is intriguing, let’s take an objective look at who Aubrey de Grey is and how he uses science to unravel the mystery of aging.

The man behind the mission: Aubrey de Grey

Aubrey de Grey, a British biogerontologist, is known for his innovative approach to aging. He is the founder of the Strategies for Engineered Negligible Senescence (SENS) Foundation, an organization dedicated to researching the halting of aging and eventually achieving immortality.

Deciphering aging: Aubrey de Grey's biological markers for aging

De Grey has broken down aging into seven categories of cellular decay. These categories, or biological markers, are key to understanding the processes underlying aging:

1. Cellular senescence

Cellular senescence refers to the phenomenon where cells accumulate in a state of old age and non-functioning. These cells can no longer perform normal functions and contribute to various aging-related processes, including inflammation and tissue degeneration.

2. DNA mutations

Over the years, cells can be exposed to various harmful factors such as UV radiation, chemicals, and oxidative stress, causing DNA damage. These mutations can lead to disruptions in the genetic code, contributing to the aging process and the development of age-related diseases.

3. Cell loss

As we age, we experience a natural loss of functioning cells in various tissues and organs. This cell loss can lead to reduced tissue regeneration and loss of function in different organs and systems of the body.

4. Uncontrolled cell growth

One of the most feared consequences of uncontrolled cell growth is cancer. Cells can undergo mutations that disrupt their growth and division mechanisms, causing them to multiply uncontrollably and form tumors that harm surrounding tissues and organs.

5. Extracellular aggregation

Throughout life, various unwanted materials accumulate outside cells, such as amyloid plaques in the brain in Alzheimer’s disease or cholesterol deposits in blood vessels in cardiovascular diseases. These accumulations can disrupt normal tissue structure and impair organ function.

6. Loss of cellular energy production

With age, the efficiency of energy production in cells can decrease. This can lead to reduced energy production and dysfunction in various organs and tissues, contributing to aging and decreased vitality.

7. Excessive cellular energy production

Overproduction of reactive oxygen species, such as free radicals, can lead to oxidative stress and damage to cell structures, including DNA, proteins, and lipids. This damage contributes to aging and the onset of age-related diseases.

Strategies for immortality: stopping aging

De Grey believes that influencing these biological markers is crucial for halting aging and achieving immortality. His strategies include:

1. Senolytics

Senolytics are drugs specifically designed to target and eliminate senescent cells. These non-functional cells can emit harmful signals and contribute to aging and age-related diseases. Senolytics help remove these senescent cells, promoting tissue regeneration and improving organism health.

2. Genetic repair

With advancements in genetic technologies, methods are being developed to correct DNA mutations and prevent age-related diseases. Techniques like CRISPR-Cas9 enable scientists to identify and repair specific genetic abnormalities, restoring genetic integrity and promoting health.

3. Stem cell therapy

Stem cell therapy is a promising approach to replenishing lost or damaged cells in the body with healthy ones. Using stem cells, which can differentiate into various cell types, scientists can restore tissues and organs affected by aging or disease, improving body function and vitality.

4. Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy focuses on enhancing the body’s immune system to clear extracellular aggregates, such as amyloid plaques in Alzheimer’s disease or cholesterol deposits in cardiovascular diseases. By stimulating the immune system to tackle these harmful accumulations, immunotherapy can help prevent and treat age-related conditions.

5. Mitochondrial repair

Mitochondria are the powerhouses of cells, crucial for maintaining cellular energy production and reducing oxidative stress. Techniques such as mitochondrial therapy can improve mitochondrial function and restore cellular energy production, promoting organism health and longevity.

By targeting these biological markers, de Grey hopes not only to slow the aging process but perhaps even to stop it, paving the way to immortality.

Conclusion

In Aubrey de Grey's vision, immortality is no longer considered a utopian ideal but an achievable goal. His scientific approach offers hope for a future where the impact of time is no longer a limitation. The quest for immortality continues, and Aubrey de Grey remains a pioneer in this fascinating field. At Health & Science Magazine, we closely follow these developments but remain skeptical of utopian ideas unless they are, ofcourse, scientifically proven.