The Aging Process

In his review of the PBS program “Stealing Time: The New Science of Aging” (“ ‘Stealing Time’ Looks at Advances in the Science of Human Aging,” June 2), Robert Hotz says “one of the greatest triumphs of the 20th century is the doubling of the typical human life span since 1900.”

My understanding is that the human life span is no different than it was in biblical times. That is, the oldest people today are no older than they were back then.

What has changed considerably is the human life expectancy. The average person can now expect to get closer to the upper limit of the human life span than did prior generations.

Though cosmetic surgery and skin lotions may alter appearance, science and medicine have not found a way to increase the age of the oldest humans.

STEVE LONGO

Laguna Beach