http://thescotsman.co.uk/index.cfm?id=135692002
Scientists find key to eternal life
THE search for the secret of eternal life has advanced a step, after
scientists claimed they had located the gene responsible for healthy old
age.
Icelandic biotechnologists said they had isolated the Methuselah gene,
which they believe could lead to the development of drugs enabling people to
live longer.
The gene - a stretch of DNA - has been named after the Old Testament
figure said to have lived for 969 years.
Kari Stefansson, the chief executive of DeCode Genetics, said: "There
is no reason why we cannot do this.
"We know the location of this gene. Soon we will study its exact DNA
sequence and work out how it works in the body. You can then think of making
drugs that could replicate its action."
Researchers pinpointed the gene by using Iceland's uniquely
comprehensive family records to compare 1,200 people who had lived beyond 90
with a similar number with average lifespans.
They found those who lived longer were much more closely related than
in the other group.
Mr Stefansson said: "Our tight heritage and records are ideal for this
sort of work. We have the same genes as everyone else on the planet, but
because we have a small, tight population of only 270,000, it is much easier
to pinpoint those of us that carry genes that have interesting functions."
The scientists discovered that those who lived longer appeared to have
inherited a single gene that protected them against old age, rather than
being born into families which did not inherit genes that made them
vulnerable to illnesses.
DeCode's work follows research published by Harvard Medical School in
the US last year, that claimed people who lived past 100 had in-built
defences against old age.
The study, which was aimed at protecting people from ageing, found
such people had a longevity gene which was inherited, so their children were
also likely to live ten to 15 years longer than average.
It also found that the brothers and sisters of centenarians were four
times more likely than average of living to 90. The Harvard researchers
discovered that all 137 100-year-olds they studied had Methuselah-type
genes, which appeared to enable them to fight off conditions such as cancer,
dementia and heart disease.
Scientists had previously believed thousands of human genes worked
together to determine how long people live.
Professor Thomas Perls, a geriatrician involved with the Harvard
study, said: "An average set of genes will allow you to live to your mid to
late eighties. To get another 20 healthy years, you have these
disease -resistant genes."
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Forever Maru
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