London, July 18 (IANS) Scientists have claimed to develop a technique that they say may lead to a longer life. Unfortunately, the treatment is only fit for pets at the moment.


The possible cure for age related problems is a drug which protects telomeres, sections of DNA believed to be the key to ageing.

However, the treatment is not yet considered safe for humans, and may first be tested on dogs and cats by being added to pet food.

Scientists think that ageing is caused by the telomeres in our genes shortening over the course of our lifetime, the Daily Mail reports.

Now, a US research team may have found a way to slow or even reverse this shrinkage, which could theoretically lengthen our lifespan.

The team is led by Bill Andrews, a scientist based in Nevada who is the founder of Sierra Sciences. He founded the company to find a way to prompt cells to produce telomerase and protect themselves from decay.

The new findings suggest that nearly 40 different substances could contribute to the production of this enzyme. "Inducing cells to produce telomerase would be a great medical advance," Andrews said.

"The substances we have found can achieve this but we have to be cautious and there is no chance of getting medical approval for human use for some years," he cautioned.