The dream of reversing aging has captivated humans for centuries, and today science is closer than it ever has been to achieving that goal. Which is to say: It’s still pretty far away.
I find these efforts intriguing and worth pursuing. But most people don’t simply want to live until 110. They want to extend the amount of time they live free of serious disease, a concept known as health span.
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Getting this right will require further study and investment. We don’t want to exacerbate health inequalities by making this kind of medical care accessible only to a wealthy few. The Trump administration’s major reductions in governmental support of medical research will dim these prospects.
Getting an injection of youthful blood or taking the latest trendy anti-aging supplement might seem like a shortcut to a longer life. But extending the years people live without the burden of major age-related diseases is what should be a national priority.
