Loss of (T)P53 genes cause increased cancer rate (and elephants that have more P53 genes rarely get cancer)- surprise, surprise- because loss of p53 function accelerates acquisition of telomerase activity:
http://www.nature.com/onc/journal/v22/n34/full/1206667a.html
It seems that, if we don't kill ourselves or die of natural disasters/famines/diseases, we will have a better handle on disease and aging with more study. I don't understand why people would study statistics on aging and conclude that we can't age more than we already do.
Related to aging is the length of our telomeres. Doing a search through recent news brings up some interesting related topics like:
Childhood trauma causes shortened telomeres (and shortens life): http://www.medicaldaily.com/childhood-trauma-may-shorten-tel...
Acne-sufferers may have longer telomeres (and live longer): https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/10/161003133005.h...
There's now a genetic test that provides more information about your telomeres: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161005005364/en/TELO...
Gene therapy may add years of life to leukocytes (and follistatin may help those with MS and spinal muscular atrophy): http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/45947/...
Some anti-cancer drugs inhibit telomerase (which keeps telomers long making cancer cells live longer than they should): https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160818111454.h...
Loss of (T)P53 genes cause increased cancer rate (and elephants that have more P53 genes rarely get cancer)- surprise, surprise- because loss of p53 function accelerates acquisition of telomerase activity: http://www.nature.com/onc/journal/v22/n34/full/1206667a.html
It seems that, if we don't kill ourselves or die of natural disasters/famines/diseases, we will have a better handle on disease and aging with more study. I don't understand why people would study statistics on aging and conclude that we can't age more than we already do.