In the life extension movement, longevity escape velocity (sometimes
referred to as actuarial escape velocity) is a hypothetical situation
in which life expectancy is extended longer than the time that is
passing. For example, in a given year in which longevity escape
velocity would be maintained, technological advances would increase
life expectancy more than the year that just went by.For many years in
the past, life expectancy at each age has increased slightly every
year as treatment strategies and technologies have improved. At
present, more than one year of research is required for each
additional year of expected life. Longevity escape velocity occurs
when this ratio reverses, so that life expectancy increases faster
than one year per one year of research, as long as that rate of
advance is sustainable.Mouse lifespan research has been the most
contributive to conclusive evidence on the matter, since mice require
only a few years before research results can be concluded. The concept
has been present in the Science Fiction literature since at least the
Mars trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson. More recent proponents include
David Gobel, co-founder of the Methuselah Foundation (MF), the
biogerontologist Aubrey de Grey (the other co-founder of the MF), and
futurist Ray Kurzweil, who named one of his books, Fantastic Voyage:
Live Long Enough to Live Forever, after the concept. The last two
claim that by putting further pressure on science and medicine to
focus research on increasing limits of aging, rather than continuing
along at its current pace, more lives will be saved in the future,
even if the benefit is not immediately apparent.
referred to as actuarial escape velocity) is a hypothetical situation
in which life expectancy is extended longer than the time that is
passing. For example, in a given year in which longevity escape
velocity would be maintained, technological advances would increase
life expectancy more than the year that just went by.For many years in
the past, life expectancy at each age has increased slightly every
year as treatment strategies and technologies have improved. At
present, more than one year of research is required for each
additional year of expected life. Longevity escape velocity occurs
when this ratio reverses, so that life expectancy increases faster
than one year per one year of research, as long as that rate of
advance is sustainable.Mouse lifespan research has been the most
contributive to conclusive evidence on the matter, since mice require
only a few years before research results can be concluded. The concept
has been present in the Science Fiction literature since at least the
Mars trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson. More recent proponents include
David Gobel, co-founder of the Methuselah Foundation (MF), the
biogerontologist Aubrey de Grey (the other co-founder of the MF), and
futurist Ray Kurzweil, who named one of his books, Fantastic Voyage:
Live Long Enough to Live Forever, after the concept. The last two
claim that by putting further pressure on science and medicine to
focus research on increasing limits of aging, rather than continuing
along at its current pace, more lives will be saved in the future,
even if the benefit is not immediately apparent.
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