57 Essays on Infinite Lifespans   João Pedro de Magalhães gradually weaker and more vulnerable – but that is not the subject of this article. It remains that Elixir Vitae is not just a utopia but also an achievable goal that we can build, hopefully within a reason- able time span. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thanks to the FCT, Portugal, for their generous financ- ing. J.P. de Magalhães is supported by NIH-NHGRI CEGS grant to George Church. Further thanks to Robert Bradbury, George Church, and Aubrey de Grey for our wonderful and creative discussions. References 1) Gallo, RC & Montagnier, L; “The discovery of HIV as the cause of AIDS” in: New England Journal of Medicine (2003, Vol. 349); pg.2283– 2) Bodnar, AG & Ouellette, M & Frolkis, M & Holt, SE & Chiu, CP & Morin, GB & Harley, C B & Shay, JW & Lichtsteiner, S & Wright, WE; “Extension of life-span by introduction of telomerase into normal human cells” in: Science (1998, Vol. 279); pg.349– 3) Wilmut, I & Schnieke, AE & McWhir, J & Kind, AJ & Campbell, KH; “Viable offspring derived from fetal and adult mammalian cells” in: Nature (1997, Vol. 385); pg.810– 4) Drexler, EK; Engines of Creation (1986); Anchor Press