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a16z Podcast | Defeating Aging with Aubrey de Grey
18 segments available
There are those who would say that Aubrey de Grey is out to cure death, but what this former artificial intelligence specialist turned gerontologist is really focused on is health -- and the side effect of health is living a lot longer. In this segment of the a16z podcast we talk with Aubrey de Grey on the subject of aging and health, and how his training as a computer scientist helped him approach the problem in a different way from traditional biologists. The intersection of software and biology, and how this “troublemaker” from the computer science world is trying to keep us all healthy for a very, very long time.
Segments Timeline
Aubrey de Grey: The Health Revolution
In this introduction to the a16z podcast, Michael Copeland sets the stage for a conversation with Aubrey de Grey, a former AI specialist turned gerontologist. De Grey's focus is on health, emphasizing that the side effect of improved health is longevity. This segment highlights the intersection of computer science and biology, showcasing how de Grey's unique background informs his approach to aging.
"welcome to the a 16z podcast I'm Michael Copeland there are those who would say that abri degre is out to cure death but with this former artificial intelligence specialist turned gerontologist is rea..."
From AI to Aging: A Personal Journey
Aubrey de Grey shares his transition from software verification to gerontology, emphasizing the importance of health over the sensationalized notion of curing death. He discusses how his marriage to a biologist opened his eyes to the significance of aging, which he believes is the world's most pressing problem. This segment reveals the personal and professional motivations behind his shift in focus.
"Aubrey welcome thank you very much for having me we want to talk about the intersection of computer science and software and biology and I think there's a misconception out there that you're out to cu..."
The Overlap of AI and Biology
De Grey explains how his background in artificial intelligence and software development provides a unique perspective on biological research. He argues that traditional biologists often lack a goal-directed approach, which hinders progress in understanding aging. This segment highlights the potential for technological thinking to revolutionize gerontology and improve health outcomes.
"essentially in 2000 when I was in the middle of my work in software verification I met and shortly afterwards married a biologist from the US who was on sabbatical in the UK she was a full professor a..."
Challenging Traditional Gerontology
In this segment, de Grey discusses the initial acceptance he received in the biology community and how his unconventional ideas eventually led to controversy. He reflects on the shift in perception as he proposed new methods for addressing aging, emphasizing the need for innovative thinking in gerontology. This highlights the tension between traditional and modern approaches to aging research.
"always knew that that was only the world's second most important problem and so after I kind of got over the shock of finding that most people didn't think that way which I'd never never dawned on me ..."
The Controversy of Extending Life
De Grey addresses the skepticism surrounding his ideas on extending life, clarifying that his focus is on health rather than immortality. He recounts his 'Eureka moment' in 2000, which led him to propose a radical new approach to aging. This segment underscores the challenges he faced in promoting his vision for a healthier, longer life.
"your AI background and your software background did that bleed over into longevity and how did those two things match up if at all there was a lot of overlap there it was actually one of the big reaso..."
Repairing Damage vs. Slowing Aging
In this insightful discussion, de Grey contrasts traditional gerontology's focus on slowing aging with his innovative idea of repairing cellular damage. He argues that rather than merely preventing damage, actively repairing it could lead to significant advancements in health and longevity. This segment encapsulates his groundbreaking perspective on aging and health management.
"religious I don't know want to say war but like you know chemistry versus versus computation like the way forward is chemistry how dare you think that you know just compute compute can consolidate wer..."
Innovative Biological Strategies
De Grey shares examples of innovative strategies for repairing biological damage, including using bacteria to break down harmful substances in the body. He discusses the skepticism he faced from traditional gerontologists and the challenges of introducing new ideas.
"really implementing this for doing the damage repair thing and these other areas will areas that gerontologists didn't know anything about they'd never come across limb when I started talking about th..."
The Battle for Credibility
Aubrey de Grey reflects on the challenges he faced in gaining credibility for his ideas in gerontology. He recounts significant battles he won to demonstrate the plausibility of his damage repair concepts, emphasizing the importance of addressing various types of biological damage.
"level you know people pretty intrigued by it but they didn't really think it was something that made much sense in in medical terms or at least some of them didn't of course in any field that a range ..."
Stem Cell Therapy and Aging
De Grey discusses the potential of stem cell therapy as a solution for age-related cell loss, particularly in diseases like Parkinson's. He highlights ongoing clinical trials and the promise of using stem cells to replace lost neurons and restore function.
"of it yeah I mean the idea is you don't need to repair all of it but you do need to repair most of it you know that the damage comes in a variety of different types different categories and within eac..."
Bacteria as Biological Repair Agents
Aubrey de Grey elaborates on the concept of using bacteria to break down harmful substances like oxidized cholesterol. He explains how identifying and modifying bacterial genes could enhance human cells' ability to eliminate toxins, showcasing a novel approach to health.
"concept it's actually there are a couple of clinical trials going on right now that people are very optimistic about so yeah and that's the kind of idea but a lot of the other things I suggested were ..."
The Role of Information in Innovation
De Grey reflects on how the internet and access to vast data sets can foster new ideas in healthcare. He discusses the importance of knowledge and the challenges of breaking down silos in scientific research to accelerate innovative approaches to aging.
"proof-of-concept showing that we could actually protect cells in cell culture from otherwise lethal amounts of this particular toxin so yeah that's why it was a hard battle credibility wise but things..."
Overcoming Obstacles in Science
Aubrey de Grey addresses the obstacles in advancing scientific ideas, emphasizing the need for time, money, and problem-solving to bring concepts to fruition. He highlights the complexities involved in translating innovative ideas into practical applications.
"approaches that you have put forth mmm interesting question I would say yes and no I mean certainly the availability of information online is an enormous opportunity for people to come out of left fie..."
Technologists in Health: A New Frontier
De Grey shares insights on the transition of technologists into the health sector, emphasizing the need for engineers to understand the complexities of the human body. He draws parallels between machines and biological systems, suggesting that principles from engineering can be applied to extend human healthspan.
"particularly bad these days when funding is so short as well as so much when the pay line the proportion of grants that are actually funded is so low again coming from the AI in software world and wor..."
Harnessing the Body's Tolerance to Damage
Aubrey de Grey explains a key concept in his approach to aging: the human body can tolerate certain types of damage until a threshold is reached. He discusses targeting these inert damages to minimize side effects and maximize the potential for extending healthy lifespan without disrupting vital biological processes.
"lifespan that I like me to work despite our ignorance in other words to essentially leave well alone in as much as possible and only interfere with things that are unlikely to have unwanted side-effec..."
Current Progress in Aging Therapies
In this segment, de Grey outlines the current state of research in aging therapies, highlighting advancements in stem cell therapy and the elimination of amyloid in diseases like Alzheimer's. He emphasizes the need for more funding and attention to neglected areas of aging research to foster further breakthroughs.
"where are we now in that and and kind of your continuum like look you know I know that the therapies aren't ready yet but how far along are we and and as a side effect you know in your mind how long c..."
Aubrey de Grey vs. Ray Kurzweil: A Race Against Time
De Grey discusses his relationship with Ray Kurzweil and their differing views on the future of aging and technology. He contrasts Kurzweil's optimism about existing solutions with his own cautious perspective, exploring the implications of biotechnology and the potential for non-biological solutions to medical challenges.
"that are you in some sense in competition with the rate kurtzweil singularity view of the world I mean we rather gonna become you know machines you know that have the modern own brains of a human or s..."
Population Concerns and Solutions
De Grey addresses common fears about overpopulation resulting from defeating aging. He shares insights from a forecasting group that suggests the impact on global population would be less severe than anticipated. He argues that technological advancements, such as renewable energy and artificial meat, could increase the planet's carrying capacity, mitigating concerns about resource scarcity.
"you care I mean if you know damage is repaired biologically or with these micromachines Oh kind of care you know I'm quite sentimental about being made out of meat but but at the same time you know if..."
Advancements in Healthcare Technology
Aubrey de Grey highlights the accelerating advancements in healthcare technology, including genome sequencing and CRISPR. He emphasizes that while these technologies enhance our ability to maintain and restore health, they do not guarantee breakthroughs. De Grey stresses the importance of interpreting new data effectively to drive meaningful progress in health restoration.
"frightening than people would normally think plus also of course we're interested in the solutions so we've got an overpopulation problem today right but the problem is not that we have 7 billion peop..."