A Geroscience Roundtable: de Grey, Kennedy & Kaeberlein on the Path to Longevity Escape Velocity
In this episode, three experts - Dr. Aubrey de Grey, Dr. Brian Kennedy, and Dr. Matt Kaeberlein - discuss their perspectives on the current state and future prospects of longevity research. They acknowledge a range of views, from cautious optimism to more aggressive timelines for major breakthroughs.
Aubrey expresses confidence that longevity escape velocity - the point where rejuvenation therapies can outpace aging - could be achieved by the late 2030s, citing accelerating progress in damage repair approaches. Brian and Matt are more cautious, noting the challenges of combining interventions and the need for rigorous, well-designed studies.
The conversation explores various experimental therapies being explored, such as gene therapies, plasma exchange, exosomes, and peptides. The experts share their views on the strengths, limitations, and need for better data and regulation around these emerging treatments.
A key theme is the importance of transparency, data sharing, and independent validation of results, especially for therapies being offered outside of traditional clinical trials. The experts emphasize the need for a more robust regulatory framework to ensure safety and efficacy.
The discussion also touches on the role of resources and funding in driving progress, with the experts agreeing that the field has been historically underfunded and that a significant increase in investment could accelerate breakthroughs.
Looking to the future, the doctors express excitement about the overall momentum and diversity of approaches in the field, as well as the growing engagement from the medical community and the public. They see this as a sign that the longevity field has reached an inflection point.
The conversation highlights the nuanced perspectives and ongoing debates within the longevity research community, while also underscoring the shared commitment to advancing the science and translating discoveries into meaningful interventions.
If you’re interested in hearing about this in more detail, check out the episode linked here.