【正确答案】A Pill That Slows Down the Aging Process
It sounds like something from a science fiction film, but a pill to counter the aging process could become a reality (a pill that slows down the aging process is expected to become a fact).
Scientists in Russia are testing a new formula (are experimenting with a new drug), which they claim can delay/postpone the start/ onset of the aging process. They hope the tablet/pill, which is being tested on rats, mice, fish and dogs, will allow people to live to at least 120. Researcher Dr. Maxim Skulachev, from the Moscow State University project, said: "A lot of aging diseases developed much slower/at a much slower rate." The scientists are using a "new type of antioxidant", which they hope will impact on the mitochondria, the energy-producing part of cells, which is seen as triggering aging (is believed to set off senility).
"The mitochondria," he added, "can cause heart attacks, and diseases like Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's". He pointed to the mole-rat of east Africa renowned for longevity and evidently immune to cancer. He also said that a realistic goal was to aim for a life span for humans of 120, and anti-aging medication (an anti-senility drug) was 'technically possible'. "I don't believe we will be able to live to 800," he said. "Most probably, some new disease will emerge, let's say, a typical disease for a 120-year-old. That was the case with cancer, which was a rare disease when ancient people died much younger."
The Russian tests have not led to a significant life span increase, but delayed the onset of aging, he said. "If it turns out that diseases develop more slowly, our idea to fight aging through mitochondria is the right one", added Dr. Skulachev, who has been working to perfect his treatment for decades.