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Charlie Rose Science
Series continues with
leading experts in longevity and aging
Third Part of Science Series to Examine
Longevity and the Aging Process Co-hosted with Sir Paul Nurse, Nobel
Laureate, President of Rockefeller University
NEW YORK, March 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Emmy Award
winning journalist Charlie Rose announced the third installment of
his 12-part Science Series examining the importance of scientific
research in human health.
This episode is an in- depth discussion of
longevity and aging, including a look at existing and ongoing
studies and the social and economic implications of an increase in
human life span. Charlie's discussion includes experts who have
contributed to important developments in the science of aging and
how research into calorie restriction, anti-aging drugs, and genetic
manipulation have led to exciting advances over the past decade.
Special guests will include Dr. Richard
Weindruch, University of Wisconsin; Dr. Robert Butler, President and
CEO, International Longevity Center; Dr. Cynthia Kenyon; University
of California-San Francisco; Dr. Jay Olshansky, University of
Illinois-Chicago; and, Dr. Leonard Guarente, MIT.
The program will
air on more than 200 PBS stations across the country beginning on
Wednesday, March 28th during Charlie's regularly scheduled program.
"Longevity has reached something of a
precipitating moment," said Charlie Rose.
"It has become a subject
of great interest for obvious reasons, and with great implications
because the baby boom generation is moving forward. With a better
understanding of the aging process, science will be able to assist
the aging baby boomers, and improve on successes in fighting the
diseases of aging."
The Charlie Rose Science Series, which is
sponsored by Pfizer Inc, is an exploration of the advances being
made in scientific research, their contribution to our understanding
of the world around us, and how these breakthroughs may be applied
to improving human health.
The series' first episode focused on the
research and growing understanding of the human brain and the second
episode examined the contributions that have been made to science
through the discovering and mapping of human DNA.
As the Baby Boom generation reaches retirement
age and many older people live into their late 70s and beyond, the
U.S. and global communities face tremendous challenges to health and
economic security, quality of life, and the management of the
diseases of aging.
Across the world, scientists are conducting
research to advance the field of longevity science, and address the
close association between aging and diseases like Alzheimer's.
According to a report released by the
Alzheimer's Association on March 20, 2007, there are more than five
million people in the United States living with Alzheimer's disease.
This number includes 4.9 million people over the age of 65, which
translates into one out of eight people age 65 and older and one out
of every two people age 85 or older. It is estimated that by 2030,
7.7 million people will have Alzheimer's and by mid-century nearly
16 million will be affected.
"While aging is the number one risk factor for
Alzheimer's disease and the number of people with Alzheimer's
continues to grow, the good news is that science is continuing to
gain knowledge of how the disease works. This research has led to
the effective treatments that are available today, and we expect it
to lead to new treatments in the future that will address the
underlying causes of Alzheimer's disease, thus allowing us to
prevent it from developing or progressing," said Thomas McRae, M.D.,
of Pfizer.
"We are committed to helping people live longer and
healthier lives. To help fulfill that promise we are engaged in more
research programs and clinical trials than at any other time in our
history to develop the therapies that address this and other
diseases of aging."
Charlie Rose is joined in this series by his
co-host, Sir Paul Nurse, PhD, Nobel Laureate and President of
Rockefeller University.
Speaking about the Charlie Rose Science Series,
Dr. Nurse said, "Given the major impact that science has on every
day life, it is necessary that we take the time to explain to the
public how scientific advances and discoveries affect their daily
lives. A proper understanding of how science will facilitate public
debate on many of the important scientific questions such as aging
and human longevity is increasingly important. I'm pleased to be
involved with this effort, and I want to thank Pfizer for the
promotion and support of the Science Series."
For more information about The Charlie Rose
Science Series or to watch clips from past episodes, please visit
http://www.charlierose.com/.
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