Scientists Turn on the Fountain of Youth

Summary: Scientists have finally done it. Not with people though, with yeast! They removed a protein variant from a single-celled yeast organism, and when they restored it, the life span of the yeast was extended by 50 percent. Since they were able to do it with yeast, their next goal is to prove that it happens in mammalian cells.

Critique: I think that this is amazing. 50 percent is a lot of time. The average life expectancy of a person in the United States is 78. This could increase someone's life span to more that 117 years! They are going to experiment with mammalian cells next, which I think is very interesting. I'm glad that they are continuing the study.

Impact: I think that it's too soon to tell, but scientists may actually discover "the fountain of youth." However, I think that if you're meant to die it's going to happen one way or another.

Reference: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111123190408.htm