The Long Tomorrow by Michael Rose

CAN science conquer ageing? Evolutionary biologist Michael Rose thinks so and has shown that selective breeding can do it for fruit flies in the lab. He’s among the most respected members of the group claiming this can be extended to humans. He tells nice stories about his work and colleagues, but when he finally settles down to the science too much is left unsaid. Perhaps that has something to do with his diagnosis, aged 50, with a potentially lethal vertebral tumour, which he mentions in the last chapter. Rose offers faith that science will win over ageing; but I’d prefer…