it's a panacea for that lucky one^I'm just saying this wouldn't be the panacea it appears to be at first blush.
Finding something to cure Alzheimer's would be truly great. I've seen two of my Aunts go down with it. Not pretty. Until they can gain some real headway on the old age type diseases that hit far too many in their eighties, living to 120 doesn't look all that appealing. Everyone thinks they're going to be the 95 year old who is at the gym everyday, still has their wit about them and is nailing some 40 year old. That ain't reality for most.A somewhat more sober article on the subject:
http://news.nationalpost.com/news/a...e-alzheimers-yes-that-was-too-good-to-be-true
Keep in mind that efforts to slow down the aging process are not just about extending old age, but about redefining it. Slowing down the process means slowing down the onset of age-related maladies, which include Alzheimer's. We're talking about extending the quality of life implicitly by extending its quantity. What you seem to be talking about is keeping people alive longer despite their infirmities. That misses the point entirely.Finding something to cure Alzheimer's would be truly great. I've seen two of my Aunts go down with it. Not pretty. Until they can gain some real headway on the old age type diseases that hit far too many in their eighties, living to 120 doesn't look all that appealing. Everyone thinks they're going to be the 95 year old who is at the gym everyday, still has their wit about them and is nailing some 40 year old. That ain't reality for most.
I'm all for the research, but lets not put the cart before the horse. Quality of life matters far more than longevity, least to me.
Which is why I'm in the gym 5 days a week. At least that's one of the reasons. I whole heartedly agree that keeping people alive despite their infirmities it not the goal, but when you look at what much of the medical profession has become that is exactly what happens. People are kept alive, sometimes for years, in a physical and/or mental state that one could argue is nothing short of torture. There's hope, and then there's just blue sky bullshit, and of course, it's all about the dollar in the end. When the money runs out, suddenly, so does the hope.Keep in mind that efforts to slow down the aging process are not just about extending old age, but about redefining it. Slowing down the process means slowing down the onset of age-related maladies, which include Alzheimer's. We're talking about extending the quality of life implicitly by extending its quantity. What you seem to be talking about is keeping people alive longer despite their infirmities. That misses the point entirely.
And funny you should mention exercise, since it helps to fight against Alzheimer's:
http://www.psychiatryadvisor.com/al...tia-mild-cognitive-impairment/article/455810/
http://healthland.time.com/2012/07/...y-weight-lifting-helps-keep-your-brain-sharp/
That applies in all fields, which is why we have to be discerning before parting with our money. But there is legitimate research going on in the field, and that's a good thing. Be skeptical, but don't be a cynic.There's hope, and then there's just blue sky bullshit