In the search for ways to lengthen the human lifespan and extend good health further into old age, scientists had until now found only one program that demonstrated real promise: severe calorie restriction. However, researchers at Harvard have touched upon a discovery that Americans might find a great deal more palatable.

The perception of older Americans as frail, dependent, and isolated may be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Ageism, this prejudice that subtly dehumanizes older people and influences the way they are treated by society, is the subject of a revealing report published by the Alliance for Aging Research.

In the August 12th issue of the New York Times, writer Nicholas Kristof editorialized on what he sees as the ambiguous, and often rogue nature of aging research. In his article, he gave readers the unfortunate impression that researchers on aging are careening along on a dangerous road to human immortality. The Alliance for Aging Research felt compelled to post our reaction to this column.