May 2024 SOCRA Source Journal - Journal - Page 55
JOURNAL ARTICLES
Turning Back Time: Clinical
Trials Investigate Genome
Editing for Anti-Aging
Deepika Khedekar
Clinical Trial Lead, IQVIA
Deepika Khedekar
Abstract: “Turning Back Time: Clinical Trials Investigate Genome Editing for Anti-Aging” examines the potential of
genome editing as a revolutionary tool for reversing the aging process. Aging, traditionally viewed as an inevitable
part of life, is proposed to be treated as a disease, enabling focused research and interventions. The article highlights
the role of DNA damage in aging and presents genome editing as a precise method to repair this damage, potentially
slowing or reversing aging. Promising studies using gene editing to treat vision loss and rapid aging are discussed.
However, the article acknowledges challenges such as safety concerns, the complexity of aging, and delivery
issues. Solutions, including re昀椀ning genome editing techniques and innovative delivery methods, are explored.
This publication emphasizes the importance of ethical considerations and dialogue among stakeholders to harness
genome editing’s potential in aging reversal responsibly.
Introduction
Aging, a universal process, is
more than just the ticking of a
clock. It’s a complex biological
process marked by the gradual
deterioration of physical and
cognitive functions, leading
to an increased susceptibility
to diseases and, ultimately,
death. But what if we began
to view aging not as an
inevitable consequence of life
but as a disease itself? This
shift in perspective is not only
revolutionary but also urgent.
Aging is the single greatest
risk factor for a multitude of
chronic diseases, from heart
disease to Alzheimer’s. Yet, it
doesn’t receive the same level
of attention or urgency as these
conditions. By treating aging
as a disease, we can prioritize
research and interventions to
slow or even reverse the aging
process3. The aim isn’t just to
extend life, but to enhance its
quality, turning our golden years
into a time of wellness, peace,
and vitality.
The quest to reverse aging has
led to the exploration of various
innovative techniques, each
holding the promise of extending
not just our lifespan but our
health span. Caloric restriction
and drug therapies such as
Metformin and Rapamycin
have shown potential in
slowing the aging process by
targeting fundamental aging
pathways. Telomere extension,
a technique that focuses on
the protective ends of our
chromosomes, offers another
avenue for age reversal. As we
delve deeper into the intricacies
of our biological makeup, we
昀椀nd ourselves standing at the
threshold of an even more
profound understanding of
aging, one that lies in the very
blueprint of life itself.
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