Government squanders tax dollars developing longevity pill

The idea of a taking a magical pill to reprogram you to live longer might seem like science fiction.

But that isn’t stopping government researchers from squandering a boatload of our tax dollars to develop it.

In a new experiment with mice, National Institutes of Health researchers suppressed a gene called mTOR that plays a primary role in aging regulation.

And it worked.

Mice with suppressed mTOR lived 20 percent longer than mice with normal mTOR activity. And a bonus: The longer-living mice had better memory.

Great, right? Ah, but there was a down side. The Methuselah mice had more infections, softer bones, and appeared to have a higher risk of cataracts.

Obviously, there are LOTS of kinks to work out before this Long Life Pill hits the market.

Meanwhile, scientists have known for decades how you can easily suppress mTOR and increase likelihood of a long life.

Just push away the dinner plate.

High calorie intake increases mTOR activity. Fewer calories suppresses mTOR.

Simple.

But that wouldn’t help government researchers make drug companies richer, now would it?

Sources:
“Genetic Manipulation Extends Life of Mice 20%” Ron Winslow, The Wall St. Journal, wsj.com