The three avenues of gerontology: from basic research to clinical gerontology and anti-aging medicine. Another French paradox.

This is a contribution to the debate raised by the position statement on aging ( 1) and comments ( 2) concerning the rapid increase of anti-aging medicine. After a short summary of the history of social attitude to aging and the emergence of experimental gerontology, the French situation is described, emphasizing the economic basis of this phenomenon: increasing insurance fees and tightly controlled honoraria push an increasing number of physicians to this new discipline. No lack of communication seems to be involved between basic gerontologists and physicians ( 2). Anti-aging medicine profits of the increasing population of seniors who want to remain healthy, look young and dislike to consult geriatricians. And also of the fact that no over-the-counter delivery of drugs is available in France. For these reasons there is no serious hope to stop it otherwise than by state legislation.