Proof That Life Span Can Be Increased
For nearly a millennium and a half the life span only increased by four years. But within the last century, it had nearly doubled. However, it wasn’t until the 17th Century when the scientific Revolution began taking off that the life span began increasing significantly. As we move into the 21st century, the scientific community is poised to make other important gains in life extension.
As indicated earlier, we are already seeing indications of life span increase. Many studies are currently underway which are reporting amazing results in increasing, and in some cases, doubling the life span of animals in experimental environments. For instance, rats that have had their food intake cut by 40% can live a very long life, even doubling their average life span. To top this off, these animals are amazingly free of diabetes, cancer, and heart disease! When they do get these diseases, they are much delayed when compared to animals who eat all they want. Human studies are currently underway. In fact, the noted anti-aging expert Dr. Walford is a strong proponent of calorie restriction as a method to increasing human life span.
Another promising experiment that has been popular with the public was the Biosphere Project. From 1991 to 1993, 8 men and women were locked way from the rest of the world, having to grow every bite of food, generate their own air supply and recycle all their water in this environment. Problems arose when they ran low on food. As the Biosphere team members ate less, their body statistics changed. The men lost an average of 18 percent body weight, the women 10 percent. Blood pressure fell on the average by 20%. Indicators for diabetes, such as blood sugar and insulin levels, decreased by 30 percent on average. Cholesterol levels also dropped.
In yet another experiment, this time in the area of genetics, Dr. Cynthia Kenyon altered a gene called daf-2 in worms and proved that the gene altered worms lived for a month instead of two weeks, thereby doubling their life span. It is noteworthy that these worms lived healthily and vigorously. In a parallel study of other gene altered worms, researchers found that their worms looked and behaved normally - they ate less, defecated less, and “wiggled more slowly when they swam” (we take this to be good). They lived longer - the equivalent of 375 human years.
Undoubtedly the life span for humans is increasing. What’s more, the possibilities for further expansion are very promising. Just in the past generation alone the average life span has been increased more dramatically than in any other time in history. With new experiments abroad concerning genetics and new drugs, in addition to other ventures, we can expect even further increases.
