[ExI] First Drug Shown to Extend Life Span in Mammals

[Dan]

--- On Thu, 7/9/09, Henrique Moraes Machado <cetico.iconoclasta at gmail.com> wrote:
> Don't know if it's old news for you
> people, but there you go...

Not for me.  Then again, I haven't heard this month's TR yet.
 
> First Drug Shown to Extend Life Span in Mammals
> 
> A drug derived from bacteria in the soil on Easter Island
> can substantially extend the life span of mice, according to
> a study published online today in Nature. The drug, called
> rapamycin, is the first pharmacological agent shown to
> enhance longevity in a mammal, and it works when
> administered beginning late in life. Prior to this research,
> the only ways to increase rodents' life span were via
> genetic engineering or caloric restriction--a nutritionally
> complete but very low-calorie diet.(...)
> 
> http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/22974/?nlid=2164

I wonder what impact it'll have on younger mice and on other mammals, including, of course, humans.  I reckon some will start taking it now regardless...

Regards,

Dan