Scientists invent way to bankrupt social welfare states

[gturner]

SCIENTISTS have discovered the “Methuselah” genes whose lucky carriers have a much improved chance of living to 100 even if they indulge in an unhealthy lifestyle.

The genes appear to protect people against the effects of smoking and bad diet and can also delay the onset of age-related illnesses such as cancer and heart disease by up to three decades.

No single gene is a guaranteed fountain of youth. Instead, the secret of longevity probably lies in having the right “suite” of genes, according to new studies of centenarians and their families. Such combinations are extremely rare — only one person in 10,000 reaches the age of 100.

The genes found so far each appear to give a little extra protection against the diseases of old age. Centenarians appear to have a high chance of having several such genes embedded in their DNA.

<snip>

Dr David Gems, a longevity researcher at University College London, believes that treatments to slow ageing will become widespread.

“If we know which genes control longevity then we can find out what proteins they make and then target them with drugs. That makes it possible to slow down ageing. We need to reclassify it as a disease rather than as a benign, natural process,” he said.

“Much of the pain and suffering in the world are caused by ageing. If we can find a way to reduce that, then we are morally obliged to take it.”

An anti-ageing drug which might be taken by millions of people, perhaps from middle age onwards, could be the ultimate blockbuster for the pharmaceutical industry.

Timesonline link

Well, there goes Social Security.

 

[Miss Chicken]

All the government has to do is to assure that the drug is expensive enough to mean that people will have to work longer to afford it. Governments are already looking at raising the retirement age. This will mean it will be raised either further as people will be well enough to work to a later age.

 

[scotpens]

The OP has an interesting spin on the topic of increased longevity.

The whole point of living longer is to remain healthy and active longer. Nobody wants to live to be 100 if their final 20 years or so are filled with painful, debilitating and crippling illness.

So if people are active, healthy and productive for a longer period, they may not be collecting Social Security or getting private pensions until their 80s.

Still, increasing longevity does mean there will be more old folks. Maybe we can find ways to keep them off the government dole -- put them to work shooing away kids from people's front lawns, or something.

 

[JiNX-01]

Still, increasing longevity does mean there will be more old folks. Maybe we can find ways to keep them off the government dole -- put them to work shooing away kids from people's front lawns, or something.

Dadburn whippersnappers!

 

[MetalPants]

Solient Green with prune flavoring!

 

[gturner]

I like Solyent Green - but then I love Little Friskies Indoor Delights. They're more addictive than Cheeze-Its.

 

[FordSVT]

If average people lived healthy lives past 100 and could work until 85 like they work until 65 now, there is no way Social Security benefits or mandatory retirement would work the same way they do now, nor should anyone expect them to. They're not changes that could be made overnight though.

 

[Mr Awe]

Well, there goes Social Security.

Not necessarily. Presumably, if you are young for more years, you'll be working for more years and making more contributions to SS.

Yeah, I know you were making a joke but the bright side of slowing aging is that you get older but without all the side effects.

I just hope they figure this out soon, before, you know, I get old!

Mr Awe

 

[cultcross]

If average people lived healthy lives past 100 and could work until 85 like they work until 65 now, there is no way Social Security benefits or mandatory retirement would work the same way they do now, nor should anyone expect them to. They're not changes that could be made overnight though.

Exactly. As the life expectancy increases the period of economic activity will lengthen, pushing back retirement ages. If we retired at 60 when we lived till 70, it seems a bit much to expect to retire at 60 and live till 100 on a miracle anti-ageing drug.

 

[Hermiod]

^That's assuming that your mind copes as well with living longer as your body does. People always forget that.

 

[RJDiogenes]

^^ That's because they're getting senile.

 

[Hermiod]

^^ That's because they're getting senile.

Seriously, though, people's pensions are the last problem with this people should be worried about. The planet's overpopulated as it is and people want to live longer ?

 

[Mr Awe]

^^ Birth rates in developed countries are dropping. I think there are even negative growth rates in a couple of Scandanavian countries. So, the combination of longer lives and lower birth rates could work out rather well. The problem is the high birth rates in under-developed countries and the extensive use of polluting, non-reneweable energy.

Mr Awe

 

[John Picard]

Well, there goes Social Security.

Not necessarily. Presumably, if you are young for more years, you'll be working for more years and making more contributions to SS.

Yeah, I know you were making a joke but the bright side of slowing aging is that you get older but without all the side effects.

I just hope they figure this out soon, before, you know, I get old!

Mr Awe

That would be under the assumption that SS was actually a trust fund. But I digress.

 

[BrotherBenny]

It could also lead to totalitarianism and slavery if we are forced onto the drug in order to keep working.

But that's another story.

 

[Dart]

We've to work to 68 in a few years Bastards.

 

[T'Girl]

Well you can actual quit any time you want, you just won't get your Social Security till your 70 or whatever. Your company pensions kick in when it contracted too. Your private accounts are there when you want them, regardless of your age.

 

[John Picard]

Well you can actual quit any time you want, you just won't get your Social Security till your 70 or whatever. Your company pensions kick in when it contracted too.

Quit what -- your job? True; however, there are a certain number of quarters that an employee must have worked (I believe it is 40) before benefits can be paid. Company pensions depend on the rules of the plan.

Your private accounts are there when you want them, regardless of your age.

What private accounts? If you're talking 401K and/or IRA, you are sadly mistaken.

 

[cultcross]

^That's assuming that your mind copes as well with living longer as your body does. People always forget that.

If medical advances extend the body and not the mind, they're not for me, thanks. I'd rather die younger and in full command of my faculties. Well, no less command at any rate
Nothing scares me more about ageing than mental degradation and disease.

 

[John Clark]

We've to work to 68 in a few years Bastards.

I don't know about you but I expect that by the time I get there, the goalposts will have moved again