Researchers from the MIT have discovered that the gene known to control longevity in yeast has the same function in the common roundworm. Research revealed that the gene can only extend life when the animal is deprived of food, however study leader Professor Leonard Guarente believes that it might be possible to switch the gene ‘on’ using a drug. Such a drug would add years to the human lifespan without requiring that person to eat a calorie-restricted diet. The study showed that when roundworms were given extra copies of a gene known as sir2, they lived for 50% longer than their typical lifespan of 2-weeks, without the need for a restricted diet.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by www.boston.com on the 8th March 2001
