oP Or-the-basisofknowtedgewhiehistargely new- within the past

During the past fifty years enormous strides have been
made in lengthening the average life expectancy of individuals.
Our rapid progress in this field has so pre-empted public and
scientific attention that there is little awareness of the fact that
virtually nothing has been accomplished in lessening senility or in
lengthening the life span of the species. The increase of expectancy

 

~£ ane oo eter abe aeawe in wy
OL per sons past Sinty has incréased only au it two yoars MUd dia the

past one hundred years.

The massive research programs that are now being mounted
against cancer, stroke, and heart disease, both by governmental and
private insvitutions, are yielding important results,and research on
these specific diseases should be encouraged and sustained in every way.
A study of mortality due to these diseases indicates, however, that their
complete elimination would not greatly extend the average life expectancy
or delay the occurrence of senility. On Pre hing Arn, Ran We prone
f Ha ey fs sarc ef h Ayko, de agen he. ATE tral sax.

   

decade, Cie Crien ger
adi hee it el AO AE A. a
f attain, "enough understanding Of the caus proces 6 fo sétard—
tHe rate df aging in the human individual. The successful pursuit of such
a project would lengthen the life span without lengthening the period of
senility. In short, it may well be possible to increase the number of
years of life which may be lived with comparatively youthful vigor. a La akoerd
Ubon Ls itt ¢ Son as, Ke je BAe A mo Ra foe es tren te aR AEA coin Mer
° uch a AE eegeps gould be one of thé boldest and one of the most
exciting scientific ondesvore ever undertaken. Present knowledge warrants
support from scientists, the government, foundations, and others ona
scale commensurate with the magnitude and urgency of the problem.
Additional research, pursued with the proper emphasis and support, could
result in benefits even to individuals now alive.