A BBC article on the oldest living creature today, stated that the research was partially funded by Help the Aged.

I would like to know what is the basis of this support by Help the Aged?  Why are funds going to such a research that could be spent in the direct aid of people in need?

Charlie

It's quite probable that this research is essential because the actual process of ageing is not well-understood and  nor is it known how some creatures achieve great age while others do not.

We are all living longer, we're constantly being told, but  why is it that some people live a healthy life and others do not? What is it about the ageing process that makes some people age healthily and others in poor health and disability? How do some creatures live long and others not?

Hi Margaret,

Thanks for your reply.

It is apparent that we are aging better these days than we were many years ago.  Perhaps this kind of research is the reason.

However, by increasing longevity, do we not also dilute the amount of care we can provide per capita?  Should we not be increasing the quality of life, rather than the length of it?

While we can certainly say we are living longer, can we really say that this research has eased the pain of inevitable death?

Obviously, I am not an expert, but I had the impression that HtA provided direct action to those in need, so was surprised to learn of this research.

Charlie

Hi Charlie,

Below is a reply to your question from Dr James Goodwin PhD, Head of Research at Help the Aged.

Best,
Chris Martin
Website editor

Dear Charlie

We have many diverse projects at Help the Aged including a vital biomedical 'Research into Ageing' programme, which is now in its 31st year and which funds world beating research to improve health and independence in older age, rather than to make us live longer. This clam research is one of over 60 science studies across the UK we are supporting through it. The Research into Ageing programme has its own supporters/donors, who we send regular information to regarding our science projects.

The clam study may seem unusual but our prestigious panel of experts on health, biology and ageing have selected the study from many other excellent applications for funding, on the basis of its serious scientific importance.  A lot could be learned from the immune systems of the clam or how their cells survive so well, for example, and this could then be applied to human health.  This sort of research is actually a mainstay of biomedical science which, for example, is making headway against human cancer by studying tiny yeast cells.  Our commitment to only funding good, relevant and useful research is shown in our track record of excellent discoveries that help fight stroke, Alzheimer's disease etc.  (Click the "Research" button on the front of this web site to see more about this work.)

Our support for these projects is essential.  We are the only UK charity exclusively researching age-related disease, as well as ageing itself.  There are, of course, many more charities that fund studies which tackle specific conditions like osteoporosis, stroke, infection and others. However, tragically, even our combined effort can only support a small portion of excellent and potentially life changing science projects that are waiting to happen.  Scientific and medical progress depends so much on the goodwill and support of the public and charities.

It is unfortunate that newspaper reports aren’t always able to present all of the facts. To some degree, their reporting trivialised the research. Understanding the biology of ageing is a serious and important area and it has yielded many benefits in the last 30-40 years. We are behind the scientists and hope our supporters understand that they too are passionate about bringing better health, independence and happiness to older people.

Dr James Goodwin PhD
Head of Research at Help the Aged