‘Head spinning’ anti-ageing developments on horizon
Australia is reportedly about to be hit with a “tsunami” of changes caused by “head spinning” developments in anti-ageing drugs and technologies, the Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) 2014 Medallist Professor David Sinclair says.
Anti-ageing researcher, Professor David Sinclair, claims the world will be a richer place with medicines that delay ageing.
The University of NSW anti-ageing researcher, who was recently named by TIME magazine as one of the 100 most influential people on the planet, is developing molecules that can turn on protective anti-ageing mechanisms and delay the onset of the diseases of ageing such as cancer, Alzheimer’s and type 2 diabetes.
The breakthrough research was featured in the prestigious journal Science in 2013.
Drugs developed from the molecules are showing early positive results in human clinical trials.
Professor Sinclair told the Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) – the peak professional society representing Australian health and medical research – he foresees a world where it’s the norm to be highly productive well into your 80s.
“The world will be a richer place with medicines that delay ageing. We are about to be hit by a tsunami of changes caused by head spinning developments in genetics, fertility, stem cells and monitoring devices,” he said.
Professor Sinclair last week addressed the National Press Club, where he received the ASMR Medal from the chief executive officer of the National Health and Medical Research Council, Professor Warwick Anderson.
In his speech, Professor Sinclair outlined the potential impacts of his team’s research.
“A mere 1% reduction in cancer mortality alone would be worth $500 billion,” he said.
Professor Sinclair claimed he believed Australia had a unique opportunity to lead the world and to profit from revolutions occurring in high technology sectors including genetics and medicine.
“Australians are rebellious, optimistic and egalitarian – the three traits that foster scientific discovery and innovation.”
