The Longevity Advantage: Why the Pursuit of Longer, Healthier Lives Matters
Dr. Tiffany Vora speaks about the future of longevity at the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year event in Monte Carlo.
What is the future of longevity? And why should we seek to live our longest, healthiest lives?
I recently had an amazing opportunity to speak about the future of longevity at EY World Entrepreneur of the Year 2023 in Monte Carlo. Over the three days of the event, I was inspired by the vision and scale that these founders have brought into the world.
One of the quieter moments of the event left a strong impression on me. I had just finished a quick video shoot. The cameraman switched off his equipment, then reached out to remove my mic.
“You know,” he said as he fiddled at my lapel, “what if I don’t actually want to live forever? Is there a point?”
It was clearly the most important question I’d been asked in a long time.
Why should we seek to live our longest, healthiest lives? And why should we—as leaders, business people, and citizens—do the hard work to build this kind of future?
Here’s what I shared with him.
Slowing the biology of aging could also slow the diseases that wallop our healthcare systems.
💡 First, living a long, healthy life isn’t just about not dying. Biomedical research is increasingly identifying links between the biological process of aging and the leading killers around the world, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. These conditions become more likely as we age, not only due to the passage of time but because of the specific molecular and cellular events that drive the aging process.
Excitingly, it seems likely that slowing the biology of aging could also slow the diseases that wallop our healthcare systems, cost society massive amounts of money, and deliver death and suffering to individuals and their families. I may not want to live forever, but I’d certainly like to push off the day that I’m diagnosed with cancer, diabetes, or heart disease.
Every day we are alive is an opportunity to make the world a better place.
💡 Second, every day that I’m alive is a day that I can help to make the world a better place. Playing with my son, mentoring a young scientist, making a new connection, advising a startup, explaining a complex biotech topic, being a test subject, asking uncomfortable questions … I can only do these things if my heart is beating!
In other words, being alive is necessary but not sufficient, as we say in biology. I need to live a life of purpose. For me, that purpose is teaming up with people from around the world to build the best possible future(s). People like you!
As a scientist and speaker, one of the best parts of my job is to meet people, all around the world, and spark important conversations to help us design the best possible future(s). Increasing lifespans, exponential technology, climate change… there are so many important conversations we need to have, whether at the board room or in the digital space or at the dinner table. We shape our future by the conversations that we have today.
About Tiffany
Dr. Tiffany Vora speaks, writes, and advises on how to harness technology to build the best possible future(s). She is an expert in biotech, health, & innovation.
For a full list of topics and ways to collaborate, visit Tiffany’s Work Together webpage.
Donate = Impact
After a 19-day voyage to Antarctica aboard The Island Sky in November 2023, Tiffany has many remarkable stories to share & a wealth of insights to catalyze a sustainable future.
You can support her ongoing journey by making a contribution through her donation page. Your support will spread positive impact around the world, empower Tiffany to protect time for impact-focused projects, and support logistical costs for pro bono events with students & nonprofits.
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