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How we can finally win the fight against aging | Aubrey De Grey | TEDxMünchen


I work on Aging and I’m not in favor of

I work on Aging and I’m not in favor of it I’m trying to fix this and I thing to

it I’m trying to fix this and I thing to

it I’m trying to fix this and I thing to be doing okay so um I’ve got a question

be doing okay so um I’ve got a question

be doing okay so um I’ve got a question for you here’s the first question in

for you here’s the first question in

for you here’s the first question in fact I’ve got a few questions over the

fact I’ve got a few questions over the

fact I’ve got a few questions over the next few minutes um I decided when I was

next few minutes um I decided when I was

next few minutes um I decided when I was really young like eight or nine years

really young like eight or nine years

really young like eight or nine years old that I wanted to make a difference

old that I wanted to make a difference

old that I wanted to make a difference in the world and that eventually led me

in the world and that eventually led me

in the world and that eventually led me into science for several years I worked

into science for several years I worked

into science for several years I worked in artificial intelligence research and

in artificial intelligence research and

in artificial intelligence research and then when I was in my late 20s I

then when I was in my late 20s I

then when I was in my late 20s I switched careers and became a biologist

switched careers and became a biologist

switched careers and became a biologist now the reason I did so was because I

now the reason I did so was because I

now the reason I did so was because I found out that hardly anyone was working

found out that hardly anyone was working

found out that hardly anyone was working on the world’s most important problem

on the world’s most important problem

on the world’s most important problem namely the fact that we get sick when we

namely the fact that we get sick when we

namely the fact that we get sick when we were born a long time ago and then we

were born a long time ago and then we

were born a long time ago and then we die and that’s kind of like not a good

die and that’s kind of like not a good

die and that’s kind of like not a good thing so so I am you know I really want

thing so so I am you know I really want

thing so so I am you know I really want to know why people don’t get this and at

to know why people don’t get this and at

to know why people don’t get this and at Ted or TEDx events I have the right kind

Ted or TEDx events I have the right kind

Ted or TEDx events I have the right kind of audience for this because these guys

of audience for this because these guys

of audience for this because these guys people who can’t you guys people who

people who can’t you guys people who

people who can’t you guys people who come to conferences like this ultimately

come to conferences like this ultimately

come to conferences like this ultimately you are visionaries or at least you are

you are visionaries or at least you are

you are visionaries or at least you are one of the visionaries right you you you

one of the visionaries right you you you

one of the visionaries right you you you would kind of like to UM you know to

would kind of like to UM you know to

would kind of like to UM you know to make a difference in the world so you

make a difference in the world so you

make a difference in the world so you know let’s look at the let’s look at the

know let’s look at the let’s look at the

know let’s look at the let’s look at the kind of things that I don’t think are

kind of things that I don’t think are

kind of things that I don’t think are very controversial that that you

very controversial that that you

very controversial that that you probably all agree with you know you

probably all agree with you know you

probably all agree with you know you care about people

care about people

care about people you’re not skating you’re a visionary

you’re not skating you’re a visionary

you’re not skating you’re a visionary right you’re not scared to aim high you

right you’re not scared to aim high you

right you’re not scared to aim high you see that there are lots of people out

see that there are lots of people out

see that there are lots of people out there who are not visionaries who are

there who are not visionaries who are

there who are not visionaries who are scared to aim high and ultimately it’s

scared to aim high and ultimately it’s

scared to aim high and ultimately it’s not a crime not to want to aim high you

not a crime not to want to aim high you

not a crime not to want to aim high you may not think much of those people but

may not think much of those people but

may not think much of those people but the fact is you want to help them anyway

the fact is you want to help them anyway

the fact is you want to help them anyway so um that’s it right what if I actually

so um that’s it right what if I actually

so um that’s it right what if I actually mean well it means making a difference

mean well it means making a difference

mean well it means making a difference perhaps making a really I mean really

perhaps making a really I mean really

perhaps making a really I mean really big difference and the question that is

big difference and the question that is

big difference and the question that is what is a bigger difference than what

what is a bigger difference than what

what is a bigger difference than what he’s a smaller difference I think there

he’s a smaller difference I think there

he’s a smaller difference I think there are two dimensions to that two things

are two dimensions to that two things

are two dimensions to that two things that determine whether you’re how big a

that determine whether you’re how big a

that determine whether you’re how big a difference you’re going to make number

difference you’re going to make number

difference you’re going to make number one how important the thing is that

one how important the thing is that

one how important the thing is that you’re going to work

you’re going to work

you’re going to work to change and number two how easy it is

to change and number two how easy it is

to change and number two how easy it is to change it those two things both have

to change it those two things both have

to change it those two things both have to be looked at because unimportant

to be looked at because unimportant

to be looked at because unimportant things we can forget about those they’re

things we can forget about those they’re

things we can forget about those they’re definitely not big but important things

definitely not big but important things

definitely not big but important things actually if they’re easy then they’re

actually if they’re easy then they’re

actually if they’re easy then they’re already done or at least a lot of other

already done or at least a lot of other

already done or at least a lot of other people are already trying to do them so

people are already trying to do them so

people are already trying to do them so you’re not going to make much of a

you’re not going to make much of a

you’re not going to make much of a difference by being just another person

difference by being just another person

difference by being just another person who’s also trying to do them then again

who’s also trying to do them then again

who’s also trying to do them then again there’s the other end of the spectrum

there’s the other end of the spectrum

there’s the other end of the spectrum things that would be great but

things that would be great but

things that would be great but unfortunately they are completely

unfortunately they are completely

unfortunately they are completely impossible like perpetual motion okay

impossible like perpetual motion okay

impossible like perpetual motion okay now that’s just you know life we know

now that’s just you know life we know

now that’s just you know life we know that perpetual motion is genuinely

that perpetual motion is genuinely

that perpetual motion is genuinely unsolvable but the thing is it’s

unsolvable but the thing is it’s

unsolvable but the thing is it’s actually quite hard to tell whether

actually quite hard to tell whether

actually quite hard to tell whether something is unsolvable by and large

something is unsolvable by and large

something is unsolvable by and large really hard things are actually solvable

really hard things are actually solvable

really hard things are actually solvable but they’re also the most important

but they’re also the most important

but they’re also the most important things because they’re not easy so the

things because they’re not easy so the

things because they’re not easy so the first step is to distinguish the two and

first step is to distinguish the two and

first step is to distinguish the two and that’s not trivial most people get it

that’s not trivial most people get it

that’s not trivial most people get it wrong most people think that hard things

wrong most people think that hard things

wrong most people think that hard things actually are impossible unsolvable

actually are impossible unsolvable

actually are impossible unsolvable that’s what we need to fix for now what

that’s what we need to fix for now what

that’s what we need to fix for now what is the most important hard but not

is the most important hard but not

is the most important hard but not impossible problem climate change well

impossible problem climate change well

impossible problem climate change well it’s pretty hard

it’s pretty hard

it’s pretty hard it’s probably solvable in the fullness

it’s probably solvable in the fullness

it’s probably solvable in the fullness of time how about these you know I mean

of time how about these you know I mean

of time how about these you know I mean well peace that’d be quite nice you know

well peace that’d be quite nice you know

well peace that’d be quite nice you know prosperity stuff like that disease that

prosperity stuff like that disease that

prosperity stuff like that disease that is everybody wants to be healthy being

is everybody wants to be healthy being

is everybody wants to be healthy being sick is seriously no fun hand up anyone

sick is seriously no fun hand up anyone

sick is seriously no fun hand up anyone who wants to be sick tomorrow right in

who wants to be sick tomorrow right in

who wants to be sick tomorrow right in particular there are a particular subset

particular there are a particular subset

particular there are a particular subset of diseases called the diseases of old

of diseases called the diseases of old

of diseases called the diseases of old age diseases that people in the twenties

age diseases that people in the twenties

age diseases that people in the twenties and thirties and forties basically never

and thirties and forties basically never

and thirties and forties basically never get but pretty much everyone gets them

get but pretty much everyone gets them

get but pretty much everyone gets them when they get to be seventy or eighty or

when they get to be seventy or eighty or

when they get to be seventy or eighty or ninety what is special about those

ninety what is special about those

ninety what is special about those what’s special about that means

what’s special about that means

what’s special about that means everybody gets them because everybody

everybody gets them because everybody

everybody gets them because everybody the other disease is so now the topic of

the other disease is so now the topic of

the other disease is so now the topic of the talk the real topic why is it that

the talk the real topic why is it that

the talk the real topic why is it that most infectious diseases

most infectious diseases

most infectious diseases you know tuberculosis the theory or

you know tuberculosis the theory or

you know tuberculosis the theory or things like that have been prevented now

things like that have been prevented now

things like that have been prevented now you may not know this but 200 years ago

you may not know this but 200 years ago

you may not know this but 200 years ago in every country even the wealthiest

in every country even the wealthiest

in every country even the wealthiest countries more than one-third of babies

countries more than one-third of babies

countries more than one-third of babies would die before the age of one more

would die before the age of one more

would die before the age of one more than one-third was around 40% in any

than one-third was around 40% in any

than one-third was around 40% in any country that tells you how far we have

country that tells you how far we have

country that tells you how far we have come against infectious diseases but

come against infectious diseases but

come against infectious diseases but age-related diseases ain’t the same

age-related diseases ain’t the same

age-related diseases ain’t the same we’ve made almost no progress what’s

we’ve made almost no progress what’s

we’ve made almost no progress what’s going on what’s so different well is it

going on what’s so different well is it

going on what’s so different well is it like you know is it something that we

like you know is it something that we

like you know is it something that we can solve or is it unsolvable first

can solve or is it unsolvable first

can solve or is it unsolvable first thing I want to look at is the question

thing I want to look at is the question

thing I want to look at is the question of what is aging because people think

of what is aging because people think

of what is aging because people think well there’s aging and there’s the

well there’s aging and there’s the

well there’s aging and there’s the diseases of old age and the aging is

diseases of old age and the aging is

diseases of old age and the aging is this kind of natural thing that’s

this kind of natural thing that’s

this kind of natural thing that’s universal and fixing it is like

universal and fixing it is like

universal and fixing it is like perpetual motion and we might as well

perpetual motion and we might as well

perpetual motion and we might as well just get over it but actually that may

just get over it but actually that may

just get over it but actually that may not be true because there’s ‘yes’ of old

not be true because there’s ‘yes’ of old

not be true because there’s ‘yes’ of old age we don’t think about them that way

age we don’t think about them that way

age we don’t think about them that way we think of them as curable you know

we think of them as curable you know

we think of them as curable you know things that we can’t cure yet but we’ll

things that we can’t cure yet but we’ll

things that we can’t cure yet but we’ll get there in due course right wrong

now when you look at the problem of

now when you look at the problem of aging and the ill health of old age most

aging and the ill health of old age most

aging and the ill health of old age most people will say well actually the thing

people will say well actually the thing

people will say well actually the thing is yeah maybe it’s solvable but it’s

is yeah maybe it’s solvable but it’s

is yeah maybe it’s solvable but it’s just so intractable there’s so many

just so intractable there’s so many

just so intractable there’s so many things that go wrong and they go wrong

things that go wrong and they go wrong

things that go wrong and they go wrong almost at the same time and they

almost at the same time and they

almost at the same time and they interact with each other and make each

interact with each other and make each

interact with each other and make each other worse you know it’s just so

other worse you know it’s just so

other worse you know it’s just so complicated that’s what’s been holding

complicated that’s what’s been holding

complicated that’s what’s been holding us back don’t worry you’re not supposed

us back don’t worry you’re not supposed

us back don’t worry you’re not supposed to be able to read this slide it’s just

to be able to read this slide it’s just

to be able to read this slide it’s just right but actually that’s not the main

right but actually that’s not the main

right but actually that’s not the main thing that’s holding us back so I’m

thing that’s holding us back so I’m

thing that’s holding us back so I’m going to spend the next minute or two

going to spend the next minute or two

going to spend the next minute or two telling you what is holding us back I’m

telling you what is holding us back I’m

telling you what is holding us back I’m going to start by giving a definition of

going to start by giving a definition of

going to start by giving a definition of aging that turns out to be necessary

aging that turns out to be necessary

aging that turns out to be necessary because if you ask 10 people what that

because if you ask 10 people what that

because if you ask 10 people what that what aging is then you’ll generally get

what aging is then you’ll generally get

what aging is then you’ll generally get about 11 different answers the thing is

about 11 different answers the thing is

about 11 different answers the thing is that people don’t have a good sense of

that people don’t have a good sense of

that people don’t have a good sense of what aging really is so I’m going to

what aging really is so I’m going to

what aging really is so I’m going to give you a definition of aging that is

give you a definition of aging that is

give you a definition of aging that is first of all it’s it’s clear it’s

first of all it’s it’s clear it’s

first of all it’s it’s clear it’s mechanistic it says what happens and you

mechanistic it says what happens and you

mechanistic it says what happens and you know cause and effect but also this

know cause and effect but also this

know cause and effect but also this definition demystifies aging it tells me

definition demystifies aging it tells me

definition demystifies aging it tells me what aging is in a way that helps you

what aging is in a way that helps you

what aging is in a way that helps you understand that you already do

understand that you already do

understand that you already do understand what aging is aging is not a

understand what aging is aging is not a

understand what aging is aging is not a phenomenon of biology really at all it’s

phenomenon of biology really at all it’s

phenomenon of biology really at all it’s a phenomenon of physics which is to say

a phenomenon of physics which is to say

a phenomenon of physics which is to say it’s the same process in the human body

it’s the same process in the human body

it’s the same process in the human body or in any other living organism that it

or in any other living organism that it

or in any other living organism that it is in a car or an aeroplane or any other

is in a car or an aeroplane or any other

is in a car or an aeroplane or any other machine with moving parts whether or not

machine with moving parts whether or not

machine with moving parts whether or not it’s alive

it’s alive

it’s alive it’s the accumulation of damage that the

it’s the accumulation of damage that the

it’s the accumulation of damage that the machine does to itself throughout its

machine does to itself throughout its

machine does to itself throughout its operation as a side effect of the normal

operation as a side effect of the normal

operation as a side effect of the normal operation of the machine damage is

operation of the machine damage is

operation of the machine damage is simply the changes in the structure of

simply the changes in the structure of

simply the changes in the structure of the body that are not automatically

the body that are not automatically

the body that are not automatically reversed by machinery that’s built in

reversed by machinery that’s built in

reversed by machinery that’s built in and the body like any simple machine can

and the body like any simple machine can

and the body like any simple machine can tolerate some damage but no me some not

tolerate some damage but no me some not

tolerate some damage but no me some not too much if you have too much you go

too much if you have too much you go

too much if you have too much you go downhill so it’s like this in a living

downhill so it’s like this in a living

downhill so it’s like this in a living organism metabolism is the word that

organism metabolism is the word that

organism metabolism is the word that biologists use to denote the all the

biologists use to denote the all the

biologists use to denote the all the entire network of processes that

entire network of processes that

entire network of processes that that the body does to keep us alive from

that the body does to keep us alive from

that the body does to keep us alive from one day to the next and damage happened

one day to the next and damage happened

one day to the next and damage happened through our life even starting before

through our life even starting before

through our life even starting before we’re born

we’re born

we’re born and eventually that damage causes

and eventually that damage causes

and eventually that damage causes pathology I’ve drawn these little arrows

pathology I’ve drawn these little arrows

pathology I’ve drawn these little arrows in a strange way to indicate what we

in a strange way to indicate what we

in a strange way to indicate what we would like to do we would like to slow

would like to do we would like to slow

would like to do we would like to slow down those arrows but actually at this

down those arrows but actually at this

down those arrows but actually at this point we can’t so here’s the problem I

point we can’t so here’s the problem I

point we can’t so here’s the problem I told you earlier that the popular

told you earlier that the popular

told you earlier that the popular conception of the problems of ill health

conception of the problems of ill health

conception of the problems of ill health in old age is essentially this aging and

in old age is essentially this aging and

in old age is essentially this aging and the diseases so we could say it in the

the diseases so we could say it in the

the diseases so we could say it in the way that I’m describing on this table

way that I’m describing on this table

way that I’m describing on this table there are in most people’s heads there

there are in most people’s heads there

there are in most people’s heads there are three types of disease there are

are three types of disease there are

are three types of disease there are infections that’s column one then there

infections that’s column one then there

infections that’s column one then there are genetic diseases that’s column two

are genetic diseases that’s column two

are genetic diseases that’s column two things that are few people inherit from

things that are few people inherit from

things that are few people inherit from their parents and then there are the

their parents and then there are the

their parents and then there are the chronic progressive diseases of old a

chronic progressive diseases of old a

chronic progressive diseases of old a and then way out there in the

and then way out there in the

and then way out there in the stratosphere there’s this completely

stratosphere there’s this completely

stratosphere there’s this completely different thing that isn’t a disease

different thing that isn’t a disease

different thing that isn’t a disease that the the somewhat like you know

that the the somewhat like you know

that the the somewhat like you know nebulous things that we call aging

nebulous things that we call aging

nebulous things that we call aging itself sarcopenia that’s the loss of

itself sarcopenia that’s the loss of

itself sarcopenia that’s the loss of muscle mass as we get older that kind of

muscle mass as we get older that kind of

muscle mass as we get older that kind of thing that’s what most people think but

thing that’s what most people think but

thing that’s what most people think but this is how you ought to think all the

this is how you ought to think all the

this is how you ought to think all the columns are the same as they were on the

columns are the same as they were on the

columns are the same as they were on the previous slide but as you can see the

previous slide but as you can see the

previous slide but as you can see the big black line is in a different place

big black line is in a different place

big black line is in a different place the point here is that column three is

the point here is that column three is

the point here is that column three is misinterpreted and misclassified the

misinterpreted and misclassified the

misinterpreted and misclassified the disease is the chronic progressive

disease is the chronic progressive

disease is the chronic progressive diseases of old age are not really

diseases of old age are not really

diseases of old age are not really disease at all they are not things that

disease at all they are not things that

disease at all they are not things that can be cured they are parts of aging the

can be cured they are parts of aging the

can be cured they are parts of aging the only difference between column 3 and

only difference between column 3 and

only difference between column 3 and column 4 is terminology we have chosen

column 4 is terminology we have chosen

column 4 is terminology we have chosen to give some of the aspects of aging

to give some of the aspects of aging

to give some of the aspects of aging disease like names and not other ones

disease like names and not other ones

disease like names and not other ones and that’s all now once you get that

and that’s all now once you get that

and that’s all now once you get that right a couple of things come into

right a couple of things come into

right a couple of things come into perspective you get to understand a lot

perspective you get to understand a lot

perspective you get to understand a lot of things first thing is you can

of things first thing is you can

of things first thing is you can understand that the way that we’ve tried

understand that the way that we’ve tried

understand that the way that we’ve tried to go about keeping people healthy and

to go about keeping people healthy and

to go about keeping people healthy and old age is obviously never going to work

old age is obviously never going to work

old age is obviously never going to work it’s called geriatric medicine and

it’s called geriatric medicine and

it’s called geriatric medicine and geriatric medicine essentially consists

geriatric medicine essentially consists

geriatric medicine essentially consists of attacking the things in column 3

of attacking the things in column 3

of attacking the things in column 3 as if they were in column one attacking

as if they were in column one attacking

as if they were in column one attacking the diseases of old age as if they were

the diseases of old age as if they were

the diseases of old age as if they were infections attacking the pathologies the

infections attacking the pathologies the

infections attacking the pathologies the symptoms directly it’s never going to

symptoms directly it’s never going to

symptoms directly it’s never going to work and in from this simple diagram

work and in from this simple diagram

work and in from this simple diagram it’s obvious why it’s never going to

it’s obvious why it’s never going to

it’s obvious why it’s never going to work because the damage that the body

work because the damage that the body

work because the damage that the body does to itself in the course of life is

does to itself in the course of life is

does to itself in the course of life is continuing to accumulate and so anything

continuing to accumulate and so anything

continuing to accumulate and so anything that attacks the consequences of that

that attacks the consequences of that

that attacks the consequences of that damage is going to become progressively

damage is going to become progressively

damage is going to become progressively less effective as the person gets older

less effective as the person gets older

less effective as the person gets older now I’m not the only person to point

now I’m not the only person to point

now I’m not the only person to point this out this has been realized by a few

this out this has been realized by a few

this out this has been realized by a few people for more than a century now and

people for more than a century now and

people for more than a century now and that’s why we have a field called

that’s why we have a field called

that’s why we have a field called gerontology

gerontology

gerontology but unfortunately gerontologist don’t

but unfortunately gerontologist don’t

but unfortunately gerontologist don’t get it right either

get it right either

get it right either what John told us to do is they say well

what John told us to do is they say well

what John told us to do is they say well okay some animals live a lot longer than

okay some animals live a lot longer than

okay some animals live a lot longer than other animals they age more slowly

other animals they age more slowly

other animals they age more slowly maybe if we study that variability and

maybe if we study that variability and

maybe if we study that variability and we try to understand it really well

we try to understand it really well

we try to understand it really well we might be able to translate that

we might be able to translate that

we might be able to translate that understanding into actual treatments

understanding into actual treatments

understanding into actual treatments it’s not work it’s actually this is wise

it’s not work it’s actually this is wise

it’s not work it’s actually this is wise my work metabolism is rather complicated

my work metabolism is rather complicated

my work metabolism is rather complicated this diagram is a simplified diagram of

this diagram is a simplified diagram of

this diagram is a simplified diagram of a small so I’m sure I’m sorry it is of a

a small so I’m sure I’m sorry it is of a

a small so I’m sure I’m sorry it is of a small subset of what we know about how

small subset of what we know about how

small subset of what we know about how the body works and you know it’s rather

the body works and you know it’s rather

the body works and you know it’s rather mess that handle up anyone who writes

mess that handle up anyone who writes

mess that handle up anyone who writes software right if you boil it right so

software right if you boil it right so

software right if you boil it right so anyway right software will understand

anyway right software will understand

anyway right software will understand that this is the ultimate nightmare of

that this is the ultimate nightmare of

that this is the ultimate nightmare of uncommented spaghetti code there is no

uncommented spaghetti code there is no

uncommented spaghetti code there is no way there is no way that we’re ever

way there is no way that we’re ever

way there is no way that we’re ever going to be able to tweak this thing to

going to be able to tweak this thing to

going to be able to tweak this thing to stop it doing the thing we don’t want it

stop it doing the thing we don’t want it

stop it doing the thing we don’t want it to do the creation of damage without at

to do the creation of damage without at

to do the creation of damage without at the same time having unintended

the same time having unintended

the same time having unintended consequences that stop it from doing

consequences that stop it from doing

consequences that stop it from doing things we need to do and that’s actually

things we need to do and that’s actually

things we need to do and that’s actually an understatement the real problem is

an understatement the real problem is

an understatement the real problem is not that this is a simplified diagram of

not that this is a simplified diagram of

not that this is a simplified diagram of a small subset of what we know about how

a small subset of what we know about how

a small subset of what we know about how the body works it the real problem is

the body works it the real problem is

the body works it the real problem is that it’s a simplified diagram of a

that it’s a simplified diagram of a

that it’s a simplified diagram of a small subset of what we know about how

small subset of what we know about how

small subset of what we know about how our body works which is tiny compared to

our body works which is tiny compared to

our body works which is tiny compared to the astronomical amount that we don’t

the astronomical amount that we don’t

the astronomical amount that we don’t know about how the body works even

know about how the body works even

know about how the body works even ignoring all the stuff that we don’t

ignoring all the stuff that we don’t

ignoring all the stuff that we don’t even know that we don’t know yeah so

even know that we don’t know yeah so

even know that we don’t know yeah so ain’t going to happen all right

ain’t going to happen all right

ain’t going to happen all right but luckily there is a common

but luckily there is a common

but luckily there is a common alternative a third alternative that was

alternative a third alternative that was

alternative a third alternative that was overlooked for a very long time until I

overlooked for a very long time until I

overlooked for a very long time until I started to point it out about 50 and 15

started to point it out about 50 and 15

started to point it out about 50 and 15 years ago

years ago

years ago rather than trying to slow down those

rather than trying to slow down those

rather than trying to slow down those two arrows the process were metabolism

two arrows the process were metabolism

two arrows the process were metabolism creates damage or the process where

creates damage or the process where

creates damage or the process where damage creates pathology instead we can

damage creates pathology instead we can

damage creates pathology instead we can separate the arrows from each other we

separate the arrows from each other we

separate the arrows from each other we can go in and periodically repair the

can go in and periodically repair the

can go in and periodically repair the damage so that even though it’s being

damage so that even though it’s being

damage so that even though it’s being created at the natural rate nevertheless

created at the natural rate nevertheless

created at the natural rate nevertheless it will not actually accumulate to the

it will not actually accumulate to the

it will not actually accumulate to the point where it’s bad for you and of

point where it’s bad for you and of

point where it’s bad for you and of course that’s what we already do coming

course that’s what we already do coming

course that’s what we already do coming back to my point that Aging in the

back to my point that Aging in the

back to my point that Aging in the phenomenon of physics it’s what we

phenomenon of physics it’s what we

phenomenon of physics it’s what we already successfully do with simpler

already successfully do with simpler

already successfully do with simpler machines with man-made machines this car

machines with man-made machines this car

machines with man-made machines this car of course is more than 100 years old and

of course is more than 100 years old and

of course is more than 100 years old and it’s was not designed to be that old it

it’s was not designed to be that old it

it’s was not designed to be that old it was probably designed to last no more

was probably designed to last no more

was probably designed to last no more than 10 years or 15 but because it had

than 10 years or 15 but because it had

than 10 years or 15 but because it had periodic preventative maintenance

periodic preventative maintenance

periodic preventative maintenance throughout its existence it’s doing just

throughout its existence it’s doing just

throughout its existence it’s doing just as well now as when it was built so if

as well now as when it was built so if

as well now as when it was built so if it’s so simple if it’s so obvious then

it’s so simple if it’s so obvious then

it’s so simple if it’s so obvious then why the hell don’t have to but come and

why the hell don’t have to but come and

why the hell don’t have to but come and give these bloody talks I mean I mean

give these bloody talks I mean I mean

give these bloody talks I mean I mean honestly um the answer really is people

honestly um the answer really is people

honestly um the answer really is people are scared of getting their hopes

are scared of getting their hopes

are scared of getting their hopes up of believing that after the entire

up of believing that after the entire

up of believing that after the entire history of civilization having failed to

history of civilization having failed to

history of civilization having failed to bring the world’s most important problem

bring the world’s most important problem

bring the world’s most important problem under control that finally we might be

under control that finally we might be

under control that finally we might be in striking distance of doing it nobody

in striking distance of doing it nobody

in striking distance of doing it nobody wants to get their hopes up so they like

wants to get their hopes up so they like

wants to get their hopes up so they like to make their peace with aging and put

to make their peace with aging and put

to make their peace with aging and put it out of their minds and get up with

it out of their minds and get up with

it out of their minds and get up with them miserably short lives and and make

them miserably short lives and and make

them miserably short lives and and make the best of it well I say that’s

the best of it well I say that’s

the best of it well I say that’s I say that I say that we ought

I say that I say that we ought

I say that I say that we ought to fight to actually save some lives and

to fight to actually save some lives and

to fight to actually save some lives and that’s why I’m saying we need to wake up

that’s why I’m saying we need to wake up

that’s why I’m saying we need to wake up and act decisively it turns out that we

and act decisively it turns out that we

and act decisively it turns out that we can for the past 15 years I’ve been

can for the past 15 years I’ve been

can for the past 15 years I’ve been working on essentially this dissection

working on essentially this dissection

working on essentially this dissection of the problem the types of damage that

of the problem the types of damage that

of the problem the types of damage that accumulating the human body can be

accumulating the human body can be

accumulating the human body can be classified into only seven major

classified into only seven major

classified into only seven major categories which I’m listening on the

categories which I’m listening on the

categories which I’m listening on the left here of course I don’t have a

left here of course I don’t have a

left here of course I don’t have a chance to go through them today because

chance to go through them today because

chance to go through them today because I’ve only got another two minutes and 50

I’ve only got another two minutes and 50

I’ve only got another two minutes and 50 seconds but the what you really need to

seconds but the what you really need to

seconds but the what you really need to know is that for each of those seven

know is that for each of those seven

know is that for each of those seven types of damage there is a very

types of damage there is a very

types of damage there is a very plausible and viable approach to fixing

plausible and viable approach to fixing

plausible and viable approach to fixing it you’ve heard of stem cell therapy

it you’ve heard of stem cell therapy

it you’ve heard of stem cell therapy that’s the way to fix one of those types

that’s the way to fix one of those types

that’s the way to fix one of those types of damage the one at the top loss of

of damage the one at the top loss of

of damage the one at the top loss of cells which is just cells dying and not

cells which is just cells dying and not

cells which is just cells dying and not being automatically replaced by cell

being automatically replaced by cell

being automatically replaced by cell division it seems very clear now that

division it seems very clear now that

division it seems very clear now that this categorization this classification

this categorization this classification

this categorization this classification really is actually exhaustive there’s

really is actually exhaustive there’s

really is actually exhaustive there’s not some category number eight lurking

not some category number eight lurking

not some category number eight lurking out there waiting to be discovered

out there waiting to be discovered

out there waiting to be discovered furthermore this is getting traction

furthermore this is getting traction

furthermore this is getting traction among very elite and authoritative

among very elite and authoritative

among very elite and authoritative scientists this is here it’s just a

scientists this is here it’s just a

scientists this is here it’s just a picture of our research advisory board

picture of our research advisory board

picture of our research advisory board 25 extremely prominent and world leading

25 extremely prominent and world leading

25 extremely prominent and world leading specialists in their various areas who

specialists in their various areas who

specialists in their various areas who are very much signed up for this damage

are very much signed up for this damage

are very much signed up for this damage repair approach furthermore other people

repair approach furthermore other people

repair approach furthermore other people are beginning at this point to actually

are beginning at this point to actually

are beginning at this point to actually reinvent this idea and pretend it’s

reinvent this idea and pretend it’s

reinvent this idea and pretend it’s original this paper came out three years

original this paper came out three years

original this paper came out three years ago annex getting cited roughly once

ago annex getting cited roughly once

ago annex getting cited roughly once every two days by other papers so it’s

every two days by other papers so it’s

every two days by other papers so it’s really saying something that people

really saying something that people

really saying something that people believe in and it’s identical to what I

believe in and it’s identical to what I

believe in and it’s identical to what I just told you this is they divided Aging

just told you this is they divided Aging

just told you this is they divided Aging into nine categories rather than seven

into nine categories rather than seven

into nine categories rather than seven but it’s essentially the same idea each

but it’s essentially the same idea each

but it’s essentially the same idea each of them they have a particular repair

of them they have a particular repair

of them they have a particular repair approach so that’s all nice now the

approach so that’s all nice now the

approach so that’s all nice now the question then is um what progress are we

question then is um what progress are we

question then is um what progress are we making well the good news is quite a lot

making well the good news is quite a lot

making well the good news is quite a lot of course there is progress worldwide by

of course there is progress worldwide by

of course there is progress worldwide by various scientists and laboratories

various scientists and laboratories

various scientists and laboratories around the world there’s also a charity

around the world there’s also a charity

around the world there’s also a charity a foundation called cents Research

a foundation called cents Research

a foundation called cents Research Foundation which we created around this

Foundation which we created around this

Foundation which we created around this idea and which I’m the chief science

idea and which I’m the chief science

idea and which I’m the chief science officer this is a selection of the

officer this is a selection of the

officer this is a selection of the papers that we’ve published over the

papers that we’ve published over the

papers that we’ve published over the past few years demonstrating our

past few years demonstrating our

past few years demonstrating our progress so it’s happening it’s real

progress so it’s happening it’s real

progress so it’s happening it’s real we’re really getting there it’s there’s

we’re really getting there it’s there’s

we’re really getting there it’s there’s a long way to go that I mean if you get

a long way to go that I mean if you get

a long way to go that I mean if you get this book which I wrote a few years ago

this book which I wrote a few years ago

this book which I wrote a few years ago which actually was translated into

which actually was translated into

which actually was translated into German it’s called niemals alt in german

German it’s called niemals alt in german

German it’s called niemals alt in german and you can get it but yes it’s it’s

and you can get it but yes it’s it’s

and you can get it but yes it’s it’s it’s detailed

it’s detailed

it’s detailed there’s a lot of material here because

there’s a lot of material here because

there’s a lot of material here because the fact is aging of the human body is

the fact is aging of the human body is

the fact is aging of the human body is really really complicated and fixing it

really really complicated and fixing it

really really complicated and fixing it is not going to happen overnight but we

is not going to happen overnight but we

is not going to happen overnight but we are making more and more progress as

are making more and more progress as

are making more and more progress as time goes on we’re going to get there

time goes on we’re going to get there

time goes on we’re going to get there but the question is how soon the

but the question is how soon the

but the question is how soon the question has it we actually

question has it we actually

question has it we actually you have to remember how important this

you have to remember how important this

you have to remember how important this problem is going back to the word I say

problem is going back to the word I say

problem is going back to the word I say at the beginning of the talk this

at the beginning of the talk this

at the beginning of the talk this problem the problem of aging kills

problem the problem of aging kills

problem the problem of aging kills 100,000 people every day that’s roughly

100,000 people every day that’s roughly

100,000 people every day that’s roughly two-thirds of all deaths it’s about 70%

two-thirds of all deaths it’s about 70%

two-thirds of all deaths it’s about 70% of all deaths worldwide in the

of all deaths worldwide in the

of all deaths worldwide in the industrialized world it’s about 90% of

industrialized world it’s about 90% of

industrialized world it’s about 90% of all deaths are caused by the ill health

all deaths are caused by the ill health

all deaths are caused by the ill health of old age that’s quite bad you know and

of old age that’s quite bad you know and

of old age that’s quite bad you know and we’ve got we’ve had a few we were under

we’ve got we’ve had a few we were under

we’ve got we’ve had a few we were under lighted to say that we have had a few

lighted to say that we have had a few

lighted to say that we have had a few wealthy supporters including a guy named

wealthy supporters including a guy named

wealthy supporters including a guy named Michael graver from Berlin who started

Michael graver from Berlin who started

Michael graver from Berlin who started web de and Flute de and last minute de

web de and Flute de and last minute de

web de and Flute de and last minute de so you’ve probably heard of those

so you’ve probably heard of those

so you’ve probably heard of those website you’ll hear of Michael graver as

website you’ll hear of Michael graver as

website you’ll hear of Michael graver as well fairly soon because he’s giving us

well fairly soon because he’s giving us

well fairly soon because he’s giving us quite a bit of money to get this done

quite a bit of money to get this done

quite a bit of money to get this done but he’s not giving us enough we need

but he’s not giving us enough we need

but he’s not giving us enough we need your money too we need every we need

your money too we need every we need

your money too we need every we need everybody’s money so the fact is you

everybody’s money so the fact is you

everybody’s money so the fact is you know think about it how much difference

know think about it how much difference

know think about it how much difference do you want to make look at that bottom

do you want to make look at that bottom

do you want to make look at that bottom line you can save a life with $1 if you

line you can save a life with $1 if you

line you can save a life with $1 if you think about how quickly we’re going to

think about how quickly we’re going to

think about how quickly we’re going to solve this I reckon that if we could get

solve this I reckon that if we could get

solve this I reckon that if we could get maybe 10 20 30 40 million dollars per

maybe 10 20 30 40 million dollars per

maybe 10 20 30 40 million dollars per year to do this rather than only four

year to do this rather than only four

year to do this rather than only four million which is what we have at the

million which is what we have at the

million which is what we have at the moment we could probably get this done

moment we could probably get this done

moment we could probably get this done about 10 years more quickly and that

about 10 years more quickly and that

about 10 years more quickly and that come at what if you work it out that

come at what if you work it out that

come at what if you work it out that comes to about $1 per life so that’s

comes to about $1 per life so that’s

comes to about $1 per life so that’s worth doing thank you very much

worth doing thank you very much

worth doing thank you very much [Applause]

”

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