Longevity Gene Debate Opens Trans-Atlantic Rift

My Letter to the Editor/Reaction to the piece:

Letter to the Editor

New York Times

letters@nytimes.com

September 22^nd, 2011

[ Dear Editor, ]

Challenging the effects of resveratrol on sirtuin is one debate; challenging whether this drug is worth the rise in health insurance premiums is another. As premiums begin to reflect longer life spans, I would advise more citizens transition from holding life insurance policies to investing in long term care or term policies. While these policies can protect citizens from their increased likelihood of getting an illness, they certainly don’t protect citizens from the inevitable change in a provider’s incentive, pay, and specialty. To play it one step further, if the drug were out on the market today, then is the United States prepared to care for the vulnerable or at least willing to seek preventative measures? The promising longevity gene offers many reasons for citizens to celebrate, but I can’t begin to fathom how short-lived this celebration will be once risk assessment consultants go back to work.

[ Sincerely,

Suneeta Israni ]

In reference to “Longevity Gene Debate Opens Trans-Atlantic Rift” published on September 21, 2011 and authored by Nicholas Wade <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/22/science/22longevity.html?_r=1&ref=health>