Aging as a Computational Problem
Biology is information, thus all human interaction with biology is a computational challenge - and so is the quest to defeat aging. The future of biotechnology is entwined with the future of computational power: simulations, complexity management in therapies and tools, and much more. From TechNewsWorld: "while the scientific community knows how to study aging much better than a few decades ago, the idea that aging is a disease is still very contentious. That's because, if aging is a disease instead of a normal phase of life, that implies that something must be done to stop it -- politically a lost cause in many cases ... the best and brightest ought to be looking for ways to fight age-induced disease, and one powerful weapon in this quest is computer-based biological modeling. Computer scientists can make a huge impact on this area of inquiry and should work toward partnering with scientists ... Aubrey de Grey, a well-known leader of the anti-aging movement, started out in computer science and is now applying that knowledge to biology. His example should be emulated. ... Whether or not federal grant makers like it, aging research and practitioners are moving forward. ... The idea that aging is a disease will someday be as common as an online game. In the meantime, important advances in fighting age-related disease are in the works and computer scientists are playing an important role. That role should be allowed to expand, without political interference."