In the early '90s, we discovered mutations that could double the normal life span of worms.

Generally, older people in their fifties, sixties, and seventies are running most countries and are CEOs of corporations. Which isn't to say there aren't entrepreneurs, but if the young were better in every respect, there'd be no reason for the old. Our life span reflects our particular life strategy.

A big tree seemed even more beautiful to me when I imagined thousands of tiny photosynthesis machines inside every leaf. So I went to MIT and worked on bacteria because that's where people knew the most about these switches, how to control the genetics.

In principle, if you understood the mechanisms of keeping things repaired, you could keep things going indefinitely.

If I were a worm, I would rather be the long-lived mutant than the normal worm, that's for sure.

You would think that UV just causes mutations, but it doesn't, you need a gene to be active for it.

Carbohydrates, and especially refined ones like sugar, make you produce lots of extra insulin. I've been keeping my intake really low ever since I discovered this. I've cut out all starch such as potatoes, noodles, rice, bread and pasta.