And Don’t Forget to Turn Off the Aging

Someday, maybe soon, scientists may be able to turn off the genetic mechanism that tells our bodies to change as we age. The Scientific American reports that researchers have discovered genetic switches in roundworms —whose
genetic makeup is remarkably similar to that of humans—that
cause them to grow old when flicked on but, when off,
may extend their lives. Readers note well, the researchers do not believe that all of the ravages of aging are controlled by genetic action. The owners of human bodies can do plenty of damage themselves, by smoking, eating poorly, and otherwise behaving badly. Stanford University School of Medicine biologist Stuart Kim, who co-authored the new study published in the journal Cell, likens our aging bodies to ten year old cars. "It’s partly rust and it’s partly the gas pedal and brakes," he says. "If I wanted to fix it up so I could keep driving it, I’d want to
wax it to prevent rust and then I’d fix the gas pedal and the brakes,
as well."
Read more in the Scientific American.