Key points from article :
In an interview with Freethink, biomedical gerontologist Aubrey de Grey — a leading and often controversial figure in longevity science — argues that aging should be treated as humanity’s most urgent medical challenge. A former AI researcher, de Grey views the human body as a complex machine that can be maintained and repaired, much like cars or airplanes. Over the past two decades, his ideas have helped transform life-extension research from a fringe pursuit into a legitimate scientific field supported by major investors. He insists that combating aging could prevent vast amounts of suffering and death, yet society still hesitates to treat it as a medical condition rather than an inevitable part of life.
De Grey’s approach, known as “damage repair,” focuses on identifying and fixing the biological wear and tear that accumulates over time. He classifies these into seven main categories — including cellular loss, cancer, senescent cells, mitochondrial mutations, and waste buildup — and argues that addressing even one can improve overall health. Recent mouse studies support his theory, showing that partial repair of specific damage types can extend lifespan. These findings have energized the field but also revealed the staggering costs involved: de Grey’s experiments with thousands of mice can run into millions of dollars, largely funded by philanthropy rather than traditional grants.
To overcome these financial and bureaucratic barriers, de Grey calls for a “COVID-scale war on aging.” He points to how the pandemic accelerated vaccine development through global urgency and public demand, arguing that similar momentum could revolutionize longevity research. In his view, once compelling evidence emerges from animal models, influential voices and public pressure will drive governments and investors to act decisively against aging.
Ultimately, de Grey rejects the notion of a fixed biological limit to human life. He compares it to maintaining a century-old car — once impossible, now achievable through care and technology. With continued breakthroughs, he believes humans could one day “transcend the warranty period” of their biology, extending both lifespan and healthspan far beyond current expectations.
