55
Essays on Infinite Lifespans
João Pedro de Magalhães
CHANGING THE SOUL OF MAN
The ultimate aim of research on aging is to create what
medieval alchemists called ‘Elixir Vitae’, what science-fiction
writer David Zindell called ‘Godseed’ [34] an entity capable
of reversing the molecular and cellular changes that occur as
we age and changing the genome of our cells to prevent aging
from happening again. Initially, the Elixir will need to trans-
mit a signal to drive regeneration, as happens in apparently
non-aging animals such as lobsters [35] and turtles. [36] It
may even be the case that tissue regeneration will eliminate
damaged molecules and quiescent cells while at the same time
restoring function. Otherwise the Elixir will have to incorpo-
rate ways to eliminate nonfunctional nanostructures and cells
while at the same time restoring youthful vigor. Afterwards,
the regenerated tissue will need to be prevented from aging
again, probably by including the necessary instructions
together with the instructions ordering regeneration. [37].
From a technological perspective, the Elixir will likely be a
combination of the techniques presented previously: a mix of
RNAi, gene therapy, and stem cells. The goal is to instruct the
body’s cells to regenerate while suppressing undesired genes.
In addition, even if we do not know in detail how to reverse all
age-related changes and pathologies, we may address specific
pathologies through conventional therapies. For instance, to
rejuvenate the immune system we will need to prevent the
thymus from degenerating and so specific interventions will
be necessary. Eventually, novel nanostructures may allow us to
reverse specific age-related degenerative changes. [32] Yet we
will not need mature nanotechnology for building the Elixir.
It is impossible to say if man-made molecular assemblers will
emerge in 10, 50, or 500 years from now, so we should not,
and need not, depend upon nanotechnology to cure aging. As
such, the core of the Elixir will likely be stem cells.