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Pitting himself against the entire scientific establishment, cutting-edge Cambridge University researcher Aubrey de Grey argues that many of us can live up to 1,000 healthy years. In ENDING AGING, Dr. de Grey and his research assistant Michael Rae describe the details of this biotechnology. They explain that the aging of the human body, just like the aging of man-made machines, results from an accumulation of various types of damage. As with man-made machines, this damage can periodically be repaired, leading to indefinite extension of the machine s fully functional lifetime, just as is routinely done with classic cars. We already know what types of damage accumulate in the human body, and we are moving rapidly toward the comprehensive development of technologies to remove that damage. By demystifying aging and its postponement for the non-specialist reader, de Grey and Rae systematically dismantle the fatalist presumption that aging will forever defeat the efforts of medical science.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Ending Aging may one day be regarded as having made history. And it is fun, provoking, and informative.
Its starting point itself is eye-opening: aging isn't built into our bodies, it only results from a gradual breakdown that evolution hasn't found efficient to equip us against, picking reproduction as the preferred path for gene survival. De Grey adds that this breakdown can be fixed. Science will soon be able to engineer eternal youth, he asserts - yes, not just slow aging down but actually set back the clock. This would apparently require fixing decay in seven broad areas, for which he details the solutions. To me, a complete layman, four of the proposed solutions seem in the process of advanced medical research, two look farther off, and one, dealing with cancer, sounds somewhat unpalatable if perhaps credible (requiring regular cell transplants to a multiplicity of organs).
De Grey is not originally a biologist, but a computer programmer. He says his outsider status is an advantage. Sounds suspicious? Perhaps, but he published revolutionary research on the DNA of mitochondria (the part of the cell that generates the energy on which we live) and their role in aging; this was peer-reviewed and acclaimed by the scientific establishment. He was awarded a PhD for it at Cambridge, where he works.
Ending Aging says its goals can be achieved in 25 years. Considering the impotence of big pharma and the propensity to blunders of public government (viz. the stem cell controversy, which is detailed in the book), this sounds doubtful. But incredibly, one big hurdle to pursuing the requisite research seems to be that a number of people don't actually want to end aging. This is where De Grey turns from scientist to advocate. Apparently, the fear is that ending aging would cause grave disruption to the environment and existing social structures. So what?
Its starting point itself is eye-opening: aging isn't built into our bodies, it only results from a gradual breakdown that evolution hasn't found efficient to equip us against, picking reproduction as the preferred path for gene survival. De Grey adds that this breakdown can be fixed. Science will soon be able to engineer eternal youth, he asserts - yes, not just slow aging down but actually set back the clock. This would apparently require fixing decay in seven broad areas, for which he details the solutions. To me, a complete layman, four of the proposed solutions seem in the process of advanced medical research, two look farther off, and one, dealing with cancer, sounds somewhat unpalatable if perhaps credible (requiring regular cell transplants to a multiplicity of organs).
De Grey is not originally a biologist, but a computer programmer. He says his outsider status is an advantage. Sounds suspicious? Perhaps, but he published revolutionary research on the DNA of mitochondria (the part of the cell that generates the energy on which we live) and their role in aging; this was peer-reviewed and acclaimed by the scientific establishment. He was awarded a PhD for it at Cambridge, where he works.
Ending Aging says its goals can be achieved in 25 years. Considering the impotence of big pharma and the propensity to blunders of public government (viz. the stem cell controversy, which is detailed in the book), this sounds doubtful. But incredibly, one big hurdle to pursuing the requisite research seems to be that a number of people don't actually want to end aging. This is where De Grey turns from scientist to advocate. Apparently, the fear is that ending aging would cause grave disruption to the environment and existing social structures. So what?
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I'm not a biologist, but I was fascinated by this book. Dr De Grey's enthusiasm is infectious, and this book makes an excellent companion piece to another bit of optimistic pop(ish) science: 'The Singularity is Near' by Ray Kurzweil.
Dr De Grey also has a most magnificent beard. Brian May, who asked "who wants to live forever?", has stupid hair. Check and mate.
If you'll excuse me, I'm off to donate money to Dr De Grey's scientific endeavours. I DO want to live forever, and I want my dad to live forever as well.
Dr De Grey also has a most magnificent beard. Brian May, who asked "who wants to live forever?", has stupid hair. Check and mate.
If you'll excuse me, I'm off to donate money to Dr De Grey's scientific endeavours. I DO want to live forever, and I want my dad to live forever as well.
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Ignore the somewhat pain jacket design. "Ending Aging" is definitely not some run of the mill self help book. Truth is often much stranger than fiction. De Grey is a man with a mission. Consider this improbable scenario: a hitherto unknown Cambridge scientist realises he holds the key to saving the lives of countless millions. What is he to do? In that situation what would YOU do? This is not some improbable science-fiction scenario. This is here and right now.
Molecular biology is now expanding at an explosive pace. What would happen if we were to push the rate of progress just that little bit more? Meet the real life alliance of engineers, scientists, philanthropists and volunteer fund raisers all of whom have but one thing in common. None of whom want to have an appointment with the grave or the furnace several decades from as of today.
I for one do not want to die. Read this book and warn others. The Race is ON!
Molecular biology is now expanding at an explosive pace. What would happen if we were to push the rate of progress just that little bit more? Meet the real life alliance of engineers, scientists, philanthropists and volunteer fund raisers all of whom have but one thing in common. None of whom want to have an appointment with the grave or the furnace several decades from as of today.
I for one do not want to die. Read this book and warn others. The Race is ON!
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