Experimental biological enhancements that aim to decrease aging will be moving to clinical trials next year. Reportedly, the United States military Special Operations Command (SOCOM) will be experimenting with an anti-aging drug.
SOCOM's anti-aging drug
Reported by Breaking Defense, the US military is planning to test an experimental anti-aging drug in the field. The clinical trial is part of the military’s aim to push past the limits of human ability. If the trial is successful, augmented soldiers will be able to operate at peak performance for longer.
In a statement to Breaking Defense, SOCOM spokesperson and Navy Commander Tim Hawkins said:
“These efforts are not about creating physical traits that don’t already exist naturally.This is about enhancing the mission readiness of our forces by improving performance characteristics that typically decline with age.”
The drug’s incorporation into the public depends on how effective the pill is in the field. These clinical trials will monitor adverse effects over time as well as their effect on mental stability. The drug has yet to be thoroughly tested on human subjects. However, if all goes, this could become a mainstream drug into the future.
SOCOM's research and development costs for the anti-aging tech are around $2.8 million.
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How does it work?
The experimental anti-aging drug works mostly as a diet supplement that helps to keep the body from breaking down. Taking the pill boosts the user's NAD+ levels, a molecule that's been linked to body deterioration. Over time, this should slow the natural aging process. However, SOCOM has not explained effective the pill aims to be.
SOCOM science and technology director Lisa Sanders explains the tech: "has the potential, if it is successful, to truly delay aging, truly prevent onset of injury.”
SOCOM hopes that the experiment will keep soldiers from experiencing age-related injuries as well as keep performance at its peak.
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