**Longevity Summit Dublin: Exploring the Field of Longevity**
Martin O’Dea, the CEO of Longevity Events Limited, and the principal organizer of the annual Longevity Summit Dublin, is a seasoned expert in the field of longevity. With more than ten years of experience, O’Dea has been keeping a close eye on the changing landscape of longevity science. In this London Futurists Podcast, O’Dea discusses the forthcoming Longevity Summit in Dublin and what attendees can expect from the event.
**Exploring Long-lived Animals**
One of the fascinating topics that will be discussed at the summit is the study of animals with long lifespans. O’Dea highlights two speakers who specialize in this area. Emma Teeling focuses on researching bats, which have surprisingly long lifespans given their size. Steve Austad recently published a book called “The Methuselah Zoo,” which delves into the various evolutionary strategies utilized by long-lived species to avoid cancer. Studying longer-lived animals can provide valuable insights for scientific research.
Another speaker that O’Dea is looking forward to is Michael Levin, who focuses on the electrophysiology of cells and how electrical impulses can alter the development of organisms.
**The Expansion of Longevity Science**
O’Dea mentions that organizing a four-day conference was challenging due to the tremendous growth and excitement surrounding longevity research. Investors, the media, and the general public are increasingly recognizing the potential of this field. O’Dea believes that longevity science is on the cusp of becoming mainstream, with breakthroughs occurring every few years.
Previously, it was significant news for a research team to receive a million-pound grant, but now it has become commonplace. Last year, a group raised £180m, which wasn’t a major news story within the longevity community. While the media is slightly behind, the Dublin Summit will be covered by the New Scientist and featured in documentaries. O’Dea predicts that mainstream outlets like the BBC, CNN, and major newspapers will soon devote more attention to the subject.
**The Importance of Lifespan and Healthspan**
O’Dea acknowledges that the concept of significantly extending lifespans may still be challenging for many people to grasp. However, the idea of conquering major age-related diseases like heart disease, cancer, and dementia is more relatable. Aging itself is the root cause of these diseases, and addressing it is vital to ensure enjoyable and endurable later years.
Aubrey de Grey’s current project involves achieving robust mouse rejuvenation by extending the lifespan of middle-aged mice by an additional year. O’Dea describes this study as the most important piece of scientific research in the field of longevity. While no major results have been announced yet, there may be significant findings to share in the future.
**The Need for Funding in Longevity Research**
Although there has been a notable increase in funding for longevity research, the complexity of aging mechanisms requires even more financial support. O’Dea agrees with Andrew Steele, another speaker at the summit, who believes that instead of speculating about the time it will take to achieve longevity escape velocity (where science provides an additional year of life every year), the focus should be on the required funding. Steele estimates that around $100 billion is needed to advance this field.
**The Networking Opportunities at the Longevity Summit Dublin**
O’Dea emphasizes that one of the most valuable aspects of attending the Longevity Summit is the networking opportunities. Unlike corporate events hindered by non-disclosure agreements, the Longevity Summit fosters an open environment where attendees can freely share information. The sense of excitement and energy within the longevity community is palpable, making networking a cherished aspect of the conference.
By exploring various topics in longevity science, including long-lived animals, the mainstream acceptance of longevity research, the importance of lifespan and healthspan, the need for funding, and the networking opportunities provided by the Longevity Summit Dublin, attendees will gain valuable insights into the current state and future prospects of this rapidly evolving field.
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