In the March 2006 issue of the AARP Bulletin, there is an interesting
article entitled “Why Do Some People Live So Long?” On the cover of the
Bulletin is a photo of an elephant and superimposed on the photo are the
words “Secrets of Longer Life, Discovery of Key Longevity Genes May Keep
You Healthy Longer.”
My first reaction to this cover was something like, “Oh, another one
of those health articles.” I even mentioned to Frank that I thought it
was ironic that they should use the elephant’s photo as a backdrop,
since elephants are vegetarians and do not eat animal products in their
natural habitats. Then I added that the vast majority of recipients of
the Bulletin would probably limit their connection to “elephants and
longevity” but would not make the connection between the elephant’s
plant-based diet and longevity.
As expected, the object of the study is to develop drugs “to mimic
the chemical signals that the genes send to the body,” instead of
mimicking the pure vegetarian diet of the elephants in their natural
habitats.
Could the reason be that there is no potential for monetary return in
this pursuit, since an expensive drug would not be needed? Is it because
most people are only interested in a “magic bullet” and buy into the
sensationalism of highly promoted “cures”?
