Experts meeting in Alicante advocate Spain’s ongoing leadership in aging research

The international forum Reto al futuro (Challenge for the Future), organized by the Garrigues law firm in cooperation with important local and regional institutions and entities (see below), examined how essential it is for us to understand why we age, since therein lies the origin of many of the pathologies that are the main causes of mortality in our society today. The forum also touched upon the challenges of an increasingly older population from the standpoints of technology, economy and law.

The forum was inaugurated by the president of the Valencia Autonomous Community Government, Ximo Puig, the mayor of Alicante, Gabriel Echávarri, and the president of the Alicante Provincial Council, César Sánchez, together with Fernando Vives, executive president of Garrigues.  Over one thousand attendees, met together at the ADDA, were witness to a rich discussion of subjects such as: a future without disease, the reading of genes and their decline, the activation of embryonic genes, aging in good health, technology for a longer and better life, the economic context and the right (or not) to live longer.  The following are some of the conclusions reached by the speakers:

Ángela Nieto, research lecturer at the Alicante Neurosciences Institute (a joint center of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the Universidad de Miguel Hernández) showed “that, although this may seem to be a paradox, embryonic genes are reactivated in diseases that occur more often in the elderly, such as cancer or the degeneration of organs”.  In addition to highlighting the importance of this knowledge for the design of therapies, Nieto took the view that the region of Alicante (a destination and living area preferred by the elderly) could become a mecca for discussion and, more importantly, for the generation of knowledge for developed countries, which already view health and wellbeing as a priority goal.

Along these lines, Andrés Pedreño, professor of applied economy and the former director of the Universidad de Alicante, emphasized how the digital economy can enable us to view aging as an opportunity.  “There is a need for approaches that identify not only social and demographic vulnerability, but also solutions, including the opportunities that open up if the problem is faced from the correct perspective.  The digital economy may become an asset“.

As for the research currently being carried out, according to María A. Blasco, director of the National Cancer Research Center and expert in the molecular mechanisms causing us to age, “only by ascertaining the origin or cause of disease have we been able to control it, an example being infectious diseases; in the same way, only if we understand what causes aging at molecular level will we be able to prevent and cure diseases such as heart attack, neurodegenerative diseases, etc.”  Blasco also held that, although international leaders in areas such as molecular research are working in Spain, there is no center that approaches aging from a global standpoint.  “Spain has the opportunity to take the lead in this area worldwide”.

Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte, professor at the Salk Institute in California, a world reference in biology, explained that research laboratories are optimistic when facing the challenge of offering a healthful aging process: “This optimism is not aimed at achieving the chimera of immortality, but rather at making the dream of aging in good health a reality. For this to occur, the efforts of only a few scientists are insufficient.  Instead, the support of society as a whole, in particular those who have real power to decide and to act, will be necessary”.

In turn, Amalio Telenti, scientific head of the Scripps Translational Science Institute, also located in La Jolla, referred to the importance of defining the objective of the research: to lengthen the life of the species, of the individual or to focus on keeping us healthy? “The genes involved are not necessarily the same ones, and therefore the therapies (medicines or genetic modification) will vary according to the objective: to prolong the life of the human species (between 80 and 100 years) or to help people live more healthfully. It is highly unlikely that there is one “immortality gene” that can be manipulated for all these purposes”.

Francisco José Iborra, director of the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology of the National Biotechnology Center (of the CSIC), affirmed that, “ from a biomedical standpoint, living longer means more than simply living more years, it also means ensuring that we reach old age in the best possible condition.  This will occur only if we increase our knowledge on the aging process, identifying the paths and targets on which to act, which will, in turn, enable us to ensure the possibility of aging in good health”.

Together with the role played by biology or medicine, disciplines such as law and technology should also rise to the challenge presented by an aging population. Fernando Vives, president of Garrigues, reflected on whether or not we have the right to live longer: “We are faced with a disruptive scientific process that will give rise to an older population, to a change in the life cycles of each one of us and to a new way of life.  The law cannot remain silent, it must ensure general access to science and technology; it must protect and foster scientific work and help to structure the life of each one of us, which will differ greatly from the life we are accustomed to.  Only in this way will we truly have a right to live longer”.

The technological standpoint was represented by Nuria Oliver, the director of Research for Data Sciences at Vodafone and expert in artificial intelligence: “Technology will doubtless be a key factor in helping us to face the global challenge of aging, significantly enhancing our quality of life”. In her lecture, she explained how technology will help human beings to deal not only with disease, but also with complex problems such as loneliness: sensors and intelligence in our homes aimed at understanding our activity patterns; tools for detecting and managing chronic illnesses; immersive communication systems that connect us with our loved ones, emotionally and socially intelligent robots; and technology that enables us to continue taking an active part in society. According to the speaker, “wisdom acquired from experience is an extremely valuable asset for our society and we must not waste it”.

The forum ended with a round table, moderated by the director of Diario Información, Toni Cabot, in which all speakers took part.

About Reto al futuro

Garrigues organized this event in cooperation with Diario Información, Generalitat Valenciana, APD, Universitas Miguel Hernández, Colegio Oficial de Médicos de Alicante, Colegio Oficial de Farmaceúticos de la Provincia de Alicante, Colegio de Economistas de Alicante, Ayuntamiento de Alicante, Foro de Debate Económico, Germán Bernácer, Ilustre Colegio Provincial de Abogados de Alicante, Diputación de Alicante, Cámara de Comercio de Alicante, Asociación de la Empresa Familiar, Provincia de Alicante, Ineca (Instituto de Estudios Económicos de la Provincia de Alicante).