Genetics of Aging and Longevity Conference in Sochi, April 2014
Via Maria Konovalenko, I see that the Third International Conference on the Genetics of Aging and Longevity will be held in Sochi, Russia, in April. This is one of the more visible results of the work undertaken by the community of Russian advocates and researchers focused on the extension of health human lifespan. They have a vision for needed research and development that is different from both that of the US mainstream and the disruptive repair-based focus of SENS rejuvenation research, as it is largely informed by programmed aging theories. You can peruse some of the translated downloadable materials at the English language site of the Science for Life Extension Foundation to get an idea of this focus. Alexei Moskaliev's blog is another good resource, though not everything available for viewing there is in English.
While I might not agree with the viability of work based on an assumption of programmed aging, the energetic Russian contingent of the broader community does great work, and helps to bring greater attention to the field as a whole. Their unabashed and straightforward focus on radical life extension and the end of degenerative aging as logical and desirable goals of aging research is very welcome, and I'd like to see more of that from the English language scientific community. The Genetics of Aging and Longevity conference series in particular is turning into an influential event, and the list of those involved looks like a Who's Who of noteworthy figures in mainstream aging and longevity research.
Third International Conference on the Genetics of Aging and Longevity
The third international conference "Genetics of aging and longevity" will take place in Sochi, Russia from 6th till 10th of April, 2014. The event is held by "Science for Life Extension" foundation and Institute of Biology of Ural department of Russian Academy of Science.With this conference being held once in two years, it is the fourth time for it to happen and the third time to be international. As a result of the previous conference in 2012, this event has become the central discussing board of longevity and aging issues in Russia, uniting the field's leading scientists from all over the world. Having received wide international recognition, it has become a must-see point in longevity science agenda.
Back in 2012, more than 700 people visited the conference in four days of its work, including genetics scientists, bio-informatics specialists, biologists, doctors, journalists, entrepreneurs and investors. Conference of 2014 will bring together some of the most well-known scientists and representatives of the world's leading longevity laboratories and institutions from the US, Europe, Russia and Asia. The program committee consists of thirty experts responsible for delivering the highest level of scientific content possible and providing the latest data.
Experts, business representatives, public figures and authorities will join together to discuss fundamental science as well as more practical applied science issues. Along with the unique scientific content, round tables and informal meetings with world's leading experts will be held, giving everyone a chance to discuss a large variety of questions, including investment opportunities in the field of slowing aging and treating age-related diseases.
The event will reveal the on-growing demand on longevity research both in science and in business. Some of the materials for the "Genetics of aging and longevity" conference have never been published before and will be first presented on the conference, forecasting the future of longevity science. We welcome you to one of the most exciting science events of 2014!
For an even more depressing instance of the programmed aging community, one need look no farther than this month's "Cryonics" magazine, where they interview Joshua Mitteldorf about programmed aging. I found his explanations and evidence for programmed aging to be weak at best, and in most cases simply ignoring countervailing factors which provide better explanations.
Aging is a complicated process, and while there quite probably are small areas in which programmed aging occurs, to place this much focus on it, when there are clearly better alternatives to be working on, seems irresponsible.