Re: poly: Emerging Technology

 tcmay@got.net (Tim May) writes:
>At 7:05 AM -0800 1/3/98, Anders Sandberg wrote:
>>My personal guess is that as soon as the baby boomers really realize
>>they are getting *old* the demand of longevity medicine will
>>explode. It is already growing quickly, and guess the critical moment
>>will be when they reach retirement age.
>
>"Demand" as in "I want it, now!," or as in "I'll buy it."?
>
>A big difference, as "longevity medicine" doesn't exist in any broad,
>meaningful sense. (If I am missing something, please let me know as soon as
>possible, as I just turned 46.)
>
>I have no doubt that any number of wonder drugs would command astronomical
>prices. Alas, we don't have them.

 There are some substances for which there is some evidence of increased
average and maximum lifespans (e.g. melatonin, vitamin E, BHT, etc.).
 Thomas Donaldson <thomasd@netcom.com> publishes a book (updated frequently)
summarizing the evidence.
 The evidence is mainly from rat and mice studies; there is no quick way
to tell how well they work in humans. It's unclear whether much research
into new longevity drugs will be possible until the FDA recognizes aging
as a disease for which cures can be advertised.
 There is an annual conference on anti-aging medicine which has reportedly
grown rather big and professional in the past couple of years.

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