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On Aging Well: Forget the Studies On Aging Well: Forget the Studies
(about 1 hour later)
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “No Magic Pill Will Get You to 100,” by Pagan Kennedy (Sunday Review, March 11):Re “No Magic Pill Will Get You to 100,” by Pagan Kennedy (Sunday Review, March 11):
In my 85th year, I have some news. If you are relatively healthy, eat a balanced diet, including red meats and some sweets, even some junk food, you can make it to old age.In my 85th year, I have some news. If you are relatively healthy, eat a balanced diet, including red meats and some sweets, even some junk food, you can make it to old age.
My father hit 97½ to the day, with two pacemakers (the first wore out). Despite my mother’s careful meal planning, he indulged in two hot dogs and a soda at Costco every week, because it was a bargain.My father hit 97½ to the day, with two pacemakers (the first wore out). Despite my mother’s careful meal planning, he indulged in two hot dogs and a soda at Costco every week, because it was a bargain.
At 97, he bought a new car even though he had three cancers. His two younger sisters also lived into their 90s — one 97 and the other 93. That sister ate a rich diet of red meat and sweets most of her life. My mother lived to 87 with 30 years of various cancers, radiation and medicines.At 97, he bought a new car even though he had three cancers. His two younger sisters also lived into their 90s — one 97 and the other 93. That sister ate a rich diet of red meat and sweets most of her life. My mother lived to 87 with 30 years of various cancers, radiation and medicines.
None of their parents lived past 78.None of their parents lived past 78.
A friend of mine died last year at 107. Not one of these super-aged people smoked, or if they did, they quit after moderate or even very heavy smoking, as my father did. He worked until he was 92.A friend of mine died last year at 107. Not one of these super-aged people smoked, or if they did, they quit after moderate or even very heavy smoking, as my father did. He worked until he was 92.
Many creative people are among the old old. The brilliant cartoonist Al Hirschfeld comes to mind; he lived to 100. A few remarkable athletes live to 90, but so do lots of ordinary folks. (I have no data on couch potatoes.) Many creative people are among the old old. The brilliant caricaturist Al Hirschfeld comes to mind; he lived to 99. A few remarkable athletes live to 90, but so do lots of ordinary folks. (I have no data on couch potatoes.)
BARBARA K. BRUMBERGHOWARD BEACH, QUEENSBARBARA K. BRUMBERGHOWARD BEACH, QUEENS
To the Editor:To the Editor:
The unseen victims of much of these fruitless longevity experiments today are animals, including the monkeys at the University of Wisconsin-Madison used in calorie-restriction studies.The unseen victims of much of these fruitless longevity experiments today are animals, including the monkeys at the University of Wisconsin-Madison used in calorie-restriction studies.
Scientifically and ethically speaking, there is a big difference between a human who voluntarily eats less in the hope of better health or longer life and a monkey being forced to starve in confinement for decades for no reason he can discern.Scientifically and ethically speaking, there is a big difference between a human who voluntarily eats less in the hope of better health or longer life and a monkey being forced to starve in confinement for decades for no reason he can discern.
The stress these animals endure surely confounds these studies, let alone the species differences in metabolism and aging mechanisms.The stress these animals endure surely confounds these studies, let alone the species differences in metabolism and aging mechanisms.
There are many safe ways to study humans directly. Humans who wish to seek longer life for their own species should leave other animals alone.There are many safe ways to study humans directly. Humans who wish to seek longer life for their own species should leave other animals alone.
FRANCES CHENG, NORFOLK, VA.FRANCES CHENG, NORFOLK, VA.
The writer is science adviser at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.The writer is science adviser at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Longevity research will best serve individuals and society by prolonging health and function, not simply life span. When considering the progressive physical (and commonly cognitive) deterioration that accompanies advanced old age, along with the high costs of care as function declines, living to 100 loses some of its appeal.Longevity research will best serve individuals and society by prolonging health and function, not simply life span. When considering the progressive physical (and commonly cognitive) deterioration that accompanies advanced old age, along with the high costs of care as function declines, living to 100 loses some of its appeal.
Ideally, age-related debility would be postponed until just before death, whatever the age of death. Until science figures out how to do that, be careful what you wish for.Ideally, age-related debility would be postponed until just before death, whatever the age of death. Until science figures out how to do that, be careful what you wish for.
MARY SCHULER, JENKINTOWN, PA.MARY SCHULER, JENKINTOWN, PA.
The writer, a doctor, specializes in post-acute and long-term care.The writer, a doctor, specializes in post-acute and long-term care.