Who wants to live to be 150?

A US professor based at Harvard has told a conference in Sydney how a drug to slow down the ageing process could mean living to an impressive 150 years of age and the pill could be within our generation's grasp. Professor David Sinclair is researching resveratrol, an anti-ageing compound in red wine. The aim is to grow old with continued active living while maintaining full faculties. The pill aims to repair our DNA ageing process. "We are seeing the beginning of technology that could one day allow us to reach 150," he said. The conference also heard how people would be able to start second careers by the age of 65. Women and men would specialise in knowledge-based jobs rather than physical ones. Tempted? How would the unions react trying to negotiate new terms and conditions for retirement? The mind boggles! The controversial 'wonder drug' is already raising questions concerning the price, with sceptics estimating its cost to run into thousands. Something of an inspiration for a Spielberg sci-fi movie? If only. If the cost estimates at £5,000 to alter our internal functioning, how much will botox cost to keep our outer surface wrinkle-free? Will we be seeing 'botox in a bottle' and available over the counter? We are living in an age-crazed world where society is obsessed which everything fast. If it's not instant, then it's not worth waiting for. Now we have scientists tapping into this age craze to create a slowdown. Confused? In fact, the mere thought of such a creation would cause another frown line to appear. For me, the drug factor is a big turn-off. Since the first documented papers emerged on the subject of yoga thousands of years ago, yogis have been defying science. Pattabhi Jois, master and creator of the Ashtanga Yoga system, died at the age of 93. He was in good health and looked it, too. Over the centuries, yoga gurus have lived and continue to live beyond 100 years, retaining a glowing youthful appearance and looking half their age. Their secret? A not-so-secretive yoga way of life. With so many questions, maybe it's best not to over think how scientists can shape, change or alter our future's future? It was not so long ago when the DeLorean was the future. That was in the movie and, with any luck, the wonder wrinkle drug will reach movie land, too, and hopefully remain there. For now, I'll stick with Sirshasana (headstand pose) to keep me youthful. Claire Maguire, founder of The Yoga Room, Ashbourne, teaches Ashtanga and Pregnancy Yoga. See www.yoga-meath.ie