Scientists Discover Possible Anti-Aging Gene

werelnon writes "The BBC is running an article about researchers who seem to have discovered a gene which controls aging. By stimulating this gene, which when malfunctioning causes premature aging, scientists have managed to prolong the average life span of lab mice from 2 to 3 years. Because a very similar gene is present in humans it is quite possible it will do the same thing for people." From the article: "But there may be downsides with Klotho. The long-lived mice in the new experiments tend to be less fertile. And the gene may also predispose people to diabetes. The trick for researchers will be to find ways of getting the life-enhancing results of Klotho while avoiding the drawbacks."

buttttt......

[UniverseIsADoughnut]

Scientist also reported that implementing this into a anti aging drug would involve the destruction of millions of kittens and 14 sea otters and one Great Dane puppy to derive enough of the compound to supply the worlds population.

Fortunately the Lead Scientist isn't a Cat person.

Attempt was made to contact PETA, but they apparently were in to much shock to respond, but we expect them to be happy with the idea.

Quote from research team...

[ScaryMonkey]

"The head of the research team developing the drug had this to say about the breakthrough: 'MWUHAHAHAHA! Soon I will be... IMMORTAL! HAHAHAHA!' The team expects the drug to be available to the general public 'At the whim of your new overlords.'"

Re:klotho?

[yourexhalekiss]

In the 21st century, it's klotho nikto barrada.

Re:enhancing?

[Belgand]

Frankly I think that just about anything out there to decrease my fertility vastly increases the quality of my life. Then again, I also hate children. So long as it doesn't affect my ability to have sex I thoroughly welcome it.

As well diabetes can generally be controlled, aging, however is a much more problematic disorder.

In other news...

[Sartak]

Scientists discover that Klotho's evil twin brother, Cthulhu, can be used without the drawbacks of life-enhancing results.

Re:Side effects?

[Hoch]

Some people pay good money to see that today!

Re:Suuuure, you can live to 160 by taking Vitamins

[Anonymous Coward]

They weren't people, they were tortoises

Re:Quote from research team...

[Anonymous Coward]

...the head of the research team has lately been tipped to become the endgame boss of 'House of the Dead 4'. Sega has remarked about his experience as 'highly relevant to the field' and his attitude to be 'inspirational'.

Re:Age Limits

[Quadraginta]

Erm, the body is hardly a closed system.

Eerily familiar

[jshaft]

Sounds a lot like that SG1 episode set in the future where the aliens gave them tons of technology and also doubled the human lifespan but make us all infertile.

I bet these "scientists" are really those aliens.

Better get my tinfoil hat.

Re:Age Limits

[ScrewMaster]

The things most likely to limit my lifespan are the people with a defective "SUV" gene with whom I must dispute the right-of-way every morning on Interstate 294.

Re:Quality of life is decreasing

[sd_diamond]

What people need to do is just go back to the cave man diet

You explain that to my next-door neighbor who won't stop bitching at me about killing and eating her cat.