National Geographic channel is currently showing a new documentary series entitled "Breakthrough" that focuses on scientific breakthroughs. Episode six of the series is "The Age of Aging" which investigates the scientific efforts to develop anti-aging treatments. Directed and narrated by well-known actor/director Ron Howard (who, perhaps not incidentally, made the film Cocoon), it seems like it champions a very positive view of anti-aging.
Part of the episode follows the recent attempt to begin a trial of metformin in humans with the hopes of getting it officially recognized by regulators as the first anti-aging treatment. Steven Austad, Nir Barzilai, James Kirkland, S. Jay Olshansky, Cynthia Kenyon and the Buck Institute make appearances amongst others.
In the previews I've seen I have been impressed with the values and insight that Ron Howard displays on these issues, including the socio-cultural and psychological elements. He might be somebody that the anti-aging movement could greatly benefit from engagement with. He's very articulate, he has a history of great success with mass media, is no doubt personally wealthy, and likely has access to many powerful and wealthy people too.
"Breakthrough: The Age of Aging" premiers November 29th at 9pm EST/8pm CST on the National Geographic Channel.
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Here are some interesting previews and commentary videos on the series (note these videos didn't work in Firefox for me, but did work in Internet Explorer and Safari):
http://channel.natio...oward-on-aging/
http://channel.natio...and-technology/
http://channel.natio...e-that-kill-us/
http://channel.natio...-a-longer-life/
(The following video, particularly the announcers voice, gives somewhat of a cheap sensationalistic vibe to me, but my impression is that the actual episode probably has a relatively restrained and careful scientific tone to it. Note: the different premier date shown in this video is in reference to the Asian market.)
Edited by Brett Black, 19 November 2015 - 06:44 AM.
