September 23, 2024
It seems like research into extending human longevity — from the best diets, to new medicines — has been becoming a hotter topic with each passing year. I seem to vaguely recall some discussions years ago about researching sharks, with jokes about human-shark hybridization being the key.
A recent article in The New York Times made me realize it’s not sharks in general that are of interest to those of us wishing to live just a bit longer; it’s specifically the Greenland shark, the vertebrate animal with the longest known lifespan, about 400 years, perhaps even up to 500. Think about that for a moment: An animal swimming in the ocean right now was born before the founding of the United States!
Scientists recently completed mapping the shark’s genome — a remarkable feat in its own right, I must say — to figure out how it achieves such longevity. The results are kind of perplexing: Most of it consists of repeating genes, which, at least in humans, can cause birth defects and developmental diseases.
So at this point, it’s going to take more research to figure it out. One of the hopes is that this will lead to advances in cancer treatment. I just hope it doesn’t make us look more ... um, Greenland sharkish. The Times describes them as “not exactly charismatic.” That’s being very polite.
Well here at RTO Insider, we strive for both longevity and beauty in our articles.
Have a great week!
Michael Brooks
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