This article at Wired.com offers an even-handed report on the current general state of gerontological research, in particular as regards Aubrey de Grey's SENS theory(s).
What I find particularly instructive are the comments.
I frankly don't know if Dr. de Grey is correct in his speculations or not. I am quite certain (having read his book) that his theories are deliberately structured in a fashion to facilitate their being tested by the scientific community without need of his direct participation. And, equally frankly, I find his willingness to speculate about the potential ramifications of his series of experiments to be both stimulating and cautionary.
What I don't understand is why any of this should cause such extreme fearfulness in people. What part of living a disease free and healthy life until eventually something kills you is so disturbing to some people? It's not like it's going to change our ultimate outcome or anything, we're still going to go "splat" when we finally do wind up going under the bus. Other than our not having to suffer the aches and pains, physical inabilities and generally being a burden to others that we are forced to endure as the aging process now, of course. Is getting older somehow less scary if it hurts too?
I just don't get it.
Update: Brian Wang at Next Big Future got there first. As usual ... :)
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