Eradication of 'Zombie cells' might be the solution to arrest the process of ageing.
Since times immemorial, the process of ageing has always been a topic of deliberation and fascination. At one point in time, reaching the age of 100 was a farfetched dream. Recently however, doctors who have been involved in this field of research believe they are close to finding a pill that will help people live up to a whopping 200 years.
In the 20th century, advancements in medical science have led to an increase in the average life expectancy of a human being. Daily Mail says improved nutrition, clean water, better sanitation and huge leaps in medicine have been key in prolonging human life. The oldest known person - the French woman Jeanne Calment - who sold canvases to Vincent Van Gogh when she was a girl in the late 1800 - lived to the age of 122, dying in 1997.
Many have often wondered if it is possible for a human to naturally reach an age beyond the average. Dr Andrew Steele, a British computational biologist and author of a new book on the subject of longevity told Mail Online that there's no biological reason on why humans can't reach the age of 200.
He believes eradicating Zombie cells is cells is the cure of this peculiar 'disease'. Zombie cells are the culprits of tissue and organ decay as one continues to age. By making a drug which can remove such cells the process of ageing can come to a halt.
Pills that flush these cells out of the body are already in human trials and could be in the market in as little as 10 years, according to Dr Steele, who believes someone reading this could make it to 150 with the help of these drugs.
The study of DNA of cold blooded animals is another area anti-ageing scientists are exploring. Experts in Michigan State University have begun studying different types of reptiles and amphibians who live for long period of time. They hope to uncover certain traits that can also be targeted in humans. On the other hand, many scientists believe that curing major diseases like dementia, cancer and heart disease can increase the life of a human being.
A biomedical Artificial Intelligence (AI) firm named Gero, run by Peter Fedichev, a Russian molecular physicist, is also in the pursuit of 'hacking ageing'.
According to Daily Mail, researchers at the company Gero made use of an instrument, called DOSI (dynamic organism state indicator), that takes into account age, illness and lifestyle factors, to work out how resilient the body is, including its ability to recover from injury or disease.
My take.
I've always been of the opinion that there's no point in having an extended life because of the following reasons:-
* When one's grandparents, parents and very near and dear ones have passed into the mist of time, the charm of living goes away.
* During the extended period, one is anyway considered retired from active service: so, what are you supposed to do during that fairly long, inactive period?
Tailpiece.
The day commenced at 4, as my cellphone alarm woke me up, the chores and I was ready by 6. Syamala, the caretaker's wife, brought me my morning cup of tea. I got the 0620 hrs' bus to Kottarakkara and clambered on to a low floor, a/c bus to Ernakulam, which left at 8, pronto.
Reached Ernakulam by a half past 11. After reducing water level and having a snack, washed down with a cuppa tea, clambered on to a private bus to Guruvayur. Reached home by a quarter past 3 and had a late lunch. It was raining all through the way and at Guruvayur, too, when I'd landed!
No 40 winks and went about our evening chores!
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