The Oldest Mouse Contest

Shipud writes "Nature reports a contest that was launched in Britain today, to produce the oldest laboratory mouse. Current record in 5 years -- 150 in human years. From the page : ``Researchers can use any technique to boost longevity, including genetic manipulation and stem-cell therapy''. Winners will receive cash for every day beyond the current record. The Methuselah Mouse contest was created in an effort to boost research into human longevity."

Comments

But of course...

[taliver]

"The Methuselah Mouse contest was created in an effort to boost research into human longevity."

Wow! What a concept! Surely there would be no other reason for scientists to look to extend life than a per-day monetary prize! And of course, no scientist would get recognition otherwise! Ponce de Leon may have looked a lot harder if he was just trying to find an old mouse...

Give me a break.

How about having a contest for reasonable solutions to a problem of overpopulation, or, more importantly, a contest to see if there is a politician with enough backbone to raise the retirement age to 100.

(In all seriousness, I'm of the opinion that the retirement age should be set to a value dependant upon the expected lifetime in the society, as well as some level of job availability. Now this formula would be a good thing to reward.)