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Scientists unlock the gene for increasing life span

According to National Geographic, scientists have dramatically increased the life spans of mice, worms, flies and even yeast by genetically engineering them to overproduce a protein called klotho. Not surprisingly, the discovery has spurred speculation that klotho could help humans live longer. 

Fifteen years ago scientists didn't even know that certain genes play a key role in regulating the aging process. But today scientists are using that knowedge to dramatically lengthen the life spans of worms, yeast cells—and now mice.

"We used to think of aging as if our bodies were cars that would wear out and break down," said pathologist David Sinclair of Harvard Medical School.

"But we now realize that, because we're biological organisms, we have cell-repair capacity, Sinclair said. "In every cell it's as if we have a mechanic who can be brought into action to slow the processes of deterioration and decay that lead to aging."

"We're just learning how to control those mechanics. The potential of the body to heal itself is huge."

"I don't think that klotho will turn out to be a master control gene for aging," Dietz, the Johns Hopkins geneticist, said.

"But I do think that klotho is clearly a regulator of many phenotypes [gene-related observable traits] that are associated with aging and that we'd like to alter," he said.                                        

"If they could be manipulated, they would increase not only the length of life but the quality of life."

Full findings of the study will be published in the August 26th, 2005 journal of Science.

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