Gathering Data on Longevity

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More studies are underway with the aim of gathering raw data on patterns in the genetics and biochemistry of aging: "An $18 million National Institute on Aging study examining families with longevity patterns gets under way in the next few weeks ... Over the next several years, hundreds of families [with] multiple members alive and functioning in their 80s, 90s or beyond will be interviewed, and have blood samples drawn. ... Given that these individuals pan out to be models of successful aging and have abilities to escape or delay age-related disease, or escape or delay disabilities, we want to find out how they do that ... and we don't believe it's because of any one single factor. ... the interest is not just in those who live a long time, but in those who do so with vigor." A point of contention in the gerontology community is that scientists already know enough to be working towards meaningful anti-aging medicine - not just gathering more data.

Link: http://www.shns.com/shns/g_index2.cfm?action=detail&pk=LONGLIVE-05-04-06