Increasing the length (and quality) of our lives has arguably been a major aim behind human scientific curiosity since centuries. In contrast to the alchemists of the antiquity and the middle ages however, modern biology is promising tangible approaches that could aid lifespan extension within the next few decades.
What is the state of the art of current research into the biology of ageing and what are the biological reasons for us ageing in the first place? Given that we will be able to undergo treatment to enhance life expectancy, what are the ethical and demographic issues arising from these possibilities?