Vaccines, Longevity and The future of health with John Tregoning
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This episode is with John Tregoning, a leading expert in infectious diseases, professor at Imperial College London, and author of the books “Live Forever?” and Infectious. John’s work focuses on how our immune systems fight off disease and how scientific advances can help us live not just longer, but healthier lives. In this episode, we break down the science behind ageing and talk about the growing role of vaccines, lifestyle, and cutting-edge technologies like AI, gene editing, and immunotherapy in transforming how we think about health. We also touch on some big-picture questions like What are the ethical and social implications of radically extended lifespans? And what can we do right now to stack the odds in our favor for a longer, more vibrant life?
About the guest
Timestamps
00:00:00 - Introduction to John Tregoning and the podcast
00:01:26 - Scientific method and how we establish facts
00:03:59 - How vaccines are developed, tested, and approved
00:09:09 - What is aging? Biological and evolutionary insights
00:11:22 - Healthspan vs. lifespan: Why quality matters
00:13:44 - Infectious diseases and the immune system's role
00:20:07 - Biology's complexity: Genes, environment, and unknowns
00:23:22 - The immune system: Strengths, complexity, and risks
00:29:08 - Microbiome and its influence on health
00:34:06 - Chronic diseases: Heart disease, cancer, and dementia
00:44:39 - Genetic predispositions and the limits of DNA testing
00:50:00 - Obesity, diet, diabetes, and ultra-processed food
00:57:03 - Technology in health: Wearables, data, gene editing
01:06:05 - Lifestyle interventions for healthy aging
01:07:52 - The importance of social connection for longevity
01:13:39 - Public health policy and environmental factors
01:16:21 - Ethical implications of radical life extension
01:17:40 - Final thoughts: Prevention, trust in science, and living well