Posted 28 November 2006 - 09:33 AM
The show was quite informative.
It started with a report about the tie between the world champion in chess Vladimir Kramnik and the supercomputer “Deep Fritz.” This was followed by speculations that in 50 years computers will possess intuition, and humans will be able to read the thoughts of animals, regenerate organs and drastically extend their life span.
And indeed there have been interesting developments in Russia in the latter area.
First, they showed a 23 year old progeric female who has been trying cosmetic surgery at an anti-aging center. But of course, cosmetic surgery is no cure for aging.
Then, Academician Vladimir Skulachev, head of the Institute for Phisio-Chemical Biology in Moscow, spoke about the super-anti-oxidants he has been developing to stall the massive onslaught of apoptosis during aging due to oxygen radicals. Allegedly, eye-drops of this anti-oxidant substance returned eye sight to 20 animals (horses, dogs, etc) and revitalized them. According to Skulachev, “Man will live 800 years” (80x10).
Skulachev’s opponent, Prof. Vladimir Anisimov, president of the Gerontological Society of the Russian Academy of Sciences, claimed that there are presently no life-extending treatments for humans and the effects of anti-oxidants are inconclusive and may be accompanied by side effects (he did not mention which).
Interesting work has been done by Dr. Valery Zuganov. He has discovered an anti-aging means in the gills of Salmon. The life span of the salmon fish is very strictly determined genetically (they die out right after spawning). However, when its gills are infested by larva of the Margaritiferidae mollusk, its life-span is increased by another year. Dr. Zuganov has produced extracts from the mollusk larva and tested them on himself, externally and internally, with reported benefits and no side effects.
Then, the 60 year old heavy weight athlete Victor Kirin spoke of the importance of strong nerves, regular exercise and vitamin intake, while lifting a 250 kilogram weight.
Danila Medvedev, director of the Russian cryonics company “Kriorus” and president of the Russian Transhumanist Association, introduced the issue of cryonics and brain transplantation.
Pravoslav Christian biologist, Boris Rezhabik, of the International Academy of Ecology and Life Safety, believes physical immortality is possible but should be considered together with issues of morality. According to him, “an immortal sinner is a nonsense” and physical immortality should be accompanied by the virtue of repentance.
The segment ended with a “voice from the masses,” an elderly woman saying that each person’s death comes at a God ordained hour, and then no cures will help.
In short, it was a pretty cool show. (Interestingly enough, before this segment on immortalism, there was a report about people in some areas in Russia making bonfires in their apartments and thawing snow, because there is no central heating or water supply in the winter. Makes you think).