H 2 S-Induced Ectothermy: Relevance to Aging

Abstract

Many biogerontologists privately agree that "engineered negligible senescence" (ENS) is possible given enough time and resources. However, there is great discord on the time frame by which ENS will be achievable, with the more conservative voices (including this author) arguing for the first half of the next century. This means that most people alive today will not see this happen. Blackstone et al.'s recent report, showing that low levels of the toxic gas H₂S can seemingly turn off the internal thermal rheostat of an endothermic, non-hibernating mammal, may make it possible for those alive today to live long enough (albeit at a slowed rate) until ENS comes about.