title: Possible Interventions to Modify Aging.
abstract: The programmed aging paradigm interprets aging as a function favored by natural selection at a supra-individual level. This function is implemented, according to the telomere theory, through mechanisms that operate through the subtelomere-telomere-telomerase system. After reviewing some necessary technical and ethical reservations and providing a concise description of aging mechanisms, this work considers interventions that could lead to the control of some highly disabling characteristics of aging, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's syndromes and age-related macular degeneration, and afterwards to a full control of aging up to a condition equivalent to that of the species defined as "with negligible senescence". The various steps needed for the development of such interventions are described along general lines.
authors.affiliation: Federico II University, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Naples, 80138, Italy. giacinto.libertini@tin.it.
authors.forename: Giacinto
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Libertini
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ferrara
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D016922:Cellular Senescence; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D011322:Primary Prevention; D019098:Telomerase / Q000502:physiology; D016615:Telomere / Q000235:genetics; D059505:Telomere Homeostasis
chemical_list: D019098:Telomerase