A Note on Purpose
Preface
Part 1. From Obscurity, 1980–2005
1 “Greater Than the Double Helix Itself,” 1980–1990
2 The Grim Reaper, 1991–1993
3 Sorcerer’s Apprentices, 1991–1996
4 Race for a Master Switch, 1989–2000
5 Money to Burn, 2000–2003
6 Longevity Noir, 2003- 2004
7 Betting the Trifecta, 2005–2006
Part 2. Defying Gravity: The Battle to Find a Drug for Extending Health, 2005–2013
8 Sex, Power and the Wild: The Evolution of Aging, 2001–2008
9 The Rush and Crisis, 2008–2010
10 Live Long and Prosper, 2009–2011
11 Centenarians in the Making, 2011–2013
12 Fountains of Youth, 2013–
13 Reimagining Age
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
Longevity Gene Timeline
List of Longevity Genes
Notes
About the Author
Index
Daniel S. Greenberg, author of Science for Sale
“Research, money, and ego are the basic ingredients in the modern-day quest to live longer—or forever. Ted Anton takes us into the laboratories and boardrooms in the worldwide competition for longevity, and with expertise and wit tells a wondrous story of contemporary science.”
Brenda Fowler, author of Iceman
"A lively and at times humorous account of the search for the ’longevity genes,’ told from the perspective of the pioneers in the field. Anyone with an interest in the new science of aging or the ways in which business and the media influence science is sure to enjoy this book."
Peter Atkins, University of Oxford, author of Galileo's Finger
"In this lively account, Ted Anton shares his fascination with what goes on when creatures age, and explores the possibility that aging can be delayed or even avoided. With a lively and accessible style, he conveys the concepts, the personalities, and the pressures in the world of serious but enthusiastic research that one day might turn us all into Methuselahs."
Deborah Blum, author of The Poisoner's Handbook
"We’ve been searching for the so-called fountain of youth for centuries, but Ted Anton makes the quest invigoratingly new again in this beautifully told story of twenty-first-century researchers in pursuit of the secrets of longevity. There’s vividly clear science here and there’s the grit and determination of the scientists themselves, and the result is a book both engaging and illuminating on the subject of the long, long life."
John Seabrook, author of Flash of Genius and Other True Stories of Invention
"If I live to be 150—and thanks to Ted Anton I now know how—I doubt I will ever read a book about the science of aging as enthralling as The Longevity Seekers."
Chicago Book Review
"Ted Anton has crafted an engaging, accessible examination of the quest to understand longevity. . . . [The Longevity Seekers] unwinds like a fast-paced thriller, as Anton recounts the highly competitive race in which scientists, research labs, and global drug companies engage in the search for a magic bullet to extend human life. Quirky, temperamental scientists butt heads. Wealthy venture capitalists seek to monetize scientific research. Scientific journals rush to publish unsubstantiated findings. Big pharma capitalizes on promising though nascent studies . . . A fascinating look at the players who have brought the notion of antiaging to the fore.”
Ageing and Society
“An accessible insight into a complex research area . . . [The Longevity Seekers] is an easy and interesting read, with a clear, well-structured format, comprehensive notes section, and a very interesting summary of the timeline of developments.”
Health Affairs
“The Longevity Seekers is a must read. The characters are fascinating. And the stories behind the breakthroughs that have already occurred are gripping enough to compete with a mystery novel. Any one of the scientists profiled by Anton is likely to change the course of history. Having the opportunity to read the background behind the story, before it happens, is a privilege.”
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