Mumbai, 25, February 2025: “One stark reality is that wealth plays a role in longevity as rich people tend to live 10 to 15 years longer than the poor,” said Dr. (Prof.) Venki Ramakrishnan at ABP Network’s Ideas of India 2025 while speaking in the session “The Science of Ageing- The Yearning for Immortality”.
Highlighting the uniqueness of human awareness of mortality, Dr. (Prof.) Venki Ramakrishnan remarked, “Death itself is a peculiar phenomenon, millions of our cells are dying even as we sit here. We have a natural limit to our lifespan, with the longest recorded being 122 years by Jeanne Calment. No one has lived beyond 120. While the number of centenarians, those over 100, has been increasing, the number of supercentenarians (above 110) has remained stagnant. Aging is essentially the accumulation of changes and damage that lead to increased dysfunction over time.”
Discussing the biological hallmarks of aging, Dr. (Prof.) Venki Ramakrishnan remarked, “There are key hallmarks of aging, including changes to our DNA and the proteins associated with it, as well as cells becoming dysfunctional. Aging occurs at every level, and in many countries, the proportion of older people is rising while fertility rates are declining. There has been an explosion in longevity research with credible and dubious claims.”
Citing a key experiment, he highlighted, “As we age, some cells enter a senescent stage where they no longer divide. In one experiment, an old rat was connected to a young rat, and researchers found that the older rat benefited from the young rat’s blood, while the younger one suffered.”
Dr. (Prof.) Venki Ramakrishnan further remarked, “The general idea is that as we grow older, our ability to produce certain compounds declines. For example, NAD precursors decrease by about 30-40% in older individuals. Reprogramming cells and regenerating stem cells are among the many approaches being explored to slow down aging.”
Addressing the socio-economic aspect of aging, Dr. (Prof.) Venki Ramakrishnan noted, “We now understand why exercise, a good sleep cycle, and other healthy habits help slow aging. Avoiding social isolation and maintaining a sense of purpose is crucial. Early health screenings, such as for diabetes, can make a significant difference in ageing.”
ABP Network’s Ideas of India 2025, centred around the theme ‘Humanity’s Next Frontier’, will bring together thought leaders and innovators to explore the challenges and opportunities presented by India’s rise in a rapidly changing world. In the face of climate change, geopolitical conflicts, and technological advancements such as AI, the summit delved into India’s role as both an ancient civilisation and a demographic powerhouse in shaping the future. The two-day summit gathers a confluence of ideas from global thought leaders, intellectuals, and change makers, covering transformative possibilities in science, medicine, social contracts, and global leadership, with experts from diverse fields offering bold visions for a better, more sustainable world for all.