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Star Scientist's Claim of 'Reverse Aging' Draws Hail of Criticism
Wednesday May 1, 2024. 04:00 PM , from Slashdot
On Feb. 29, in the eyes of many other scientists working to unlock the mysteries of aging, he went too far. Another company he co-founded, Animal Biosciences, quoted him in a press release saying that a supplement it had developed had reversed aging in dogs. Scientists who study aging can't even agree on what it means to 'reverse' aging, much less how to measure it. The response was swift and harsh. The Academy for Health and Lifespan Research, a group of about 60 scientists that Sinclair co-founded and led, was hit with a cascade of resignations by members outraged by his claims. One scientist who quit referred to Sinclair on X as a 'snake oil salesman.' Days later, in a tense video meeting, the academy's five other board members pressed Sinclair to resign as president. He contended that the press release contained an inaccurate quote, according to people who were in the meeting, but he later stepped down. Sinclair's work is published regularly in top-tier scientific journals and has brought attention to an emerging field vying for credibility and funding. He has parlayed his research into hundreds of millions of dollars of investment in various companies, more than 50 patents and prominence as a longevity influencer. Along the way, his claims -- especially in his social-media posts, interviews and his book -- have drawn criticism from scientists who have accused him of hyping his research and extolling unproven products, including some from companies in which he had a financial interest. 'My lab's ideas and findings are typically ahead of the curve, which is why some peers might feel the research is overstated at the time,' Sinclair said to The Wall Street Journal in an email. 'I stand behind my track record as a trusted scientist in one of the most competitive professions of all.' He said he doesn't engage with social-media critics, including those calling him a snake oil salesman, and that many such comments are 'nothing more than mischaracterizations.' Read more of this story at Slashdot.
https://science.slashdot.org/story/24/05/01/1322234/star-scientists-claim-of-reverse-aging-draws-hai...
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