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Longevity Industry Booms Despite Lack of Proof
13 Jan
Summary
- Longevity medicine is a booming industry fueled by billions in investment.
- Critics warn the industry outpaces scientific evidence and regulation.
- Unproven treatments are offered at high costs to consumers.
The longevity medicine sector is experiencing a dramatic surge, attracting billions in investment and promoting experimental anti-aging treatments. Clinics offer costly therapies like NAD+ infusions and ozone treatments, despite a lack of rigorous scientific proof for their efficacy in slowing aging. This boom is fueled by consumer frustration with conventional healthcare and a desire for extended, healthier lives.
Billions of dollars in private investment have poured into longevity companies, with global investment reaching $8.49 billion in 2024. Influential figures and lobbyists are promoting the industry, though critics, including scientists like Douglas Vaughan, emphasize that much of the field is still in discovery mode. The FDA does not recognize aging as a disease, creating a regulatory gray area for anti-aging therapies.
Despite regulatory challenges and warnings from bodies like the FDA about unproven treatments, the industry continues to grow. Conferences showcase a wide array of supplements and technologies, with some vendors having faced scrutiny from regulators. Allies of the current administration advocate for patient autonomy in choosing experimental treatments, even with potential risks, as lobbying efforts increase to recognize aging as treatable.
