Dateline April 28, 2008

Shelbyville, Indiana –

So, how old are you?

Humans can live along time, the mystery is why some individuals live longer then others, and especially individuals we often thought were destined for the bone yard at a young age. Scientists in recent years have been delving into why some people live longer then other people, hoping to find a few answers to the mystery we all have a stake in.

They are studying the genes, genetic makeup, and other factors of about 100 hundred ‘century babies’ who all made the 110 year milestone, in a ground-breaking study being conducted by researchers from the New England Centenarian Study at Boston University. Hoping to uncover secrets to longevity in humans, the how, why, and where and when of aging, and learn a few of nature’s secrets.

This group of about 100 ‘century babies’ is a diverse group of individuals, from all walks of life, and containing a variety of body types and personality types, so the researchers have a long journey ahead of them, considering the ambitiousness of their plan.
The key ‘century baby’ in the current portion of the study being carried out at Boston University, Edna Parker, is a diminutive lady who grew up doing a lifetime of chores on the family farm. Did this account for her long life?

Edna turned 115 years of age last Sunday, becoming the oldest known person currently living when she was recognized by the Guinness World Records as the oldest human alive and defying staggering odds during her lifetime. Smiling and laughing among her family and friends as they released 115 balloons into the sunny skies outside her nursing home. Done up in pearls, a blue and white polka dot dress and sparkling white shoes, and holding a red rose during the whole affair, she was the princess of the ball.

Two years ago Edna was asked by researchers from the ‘century baby’ study being conducted at Boston University to allow them to take a blood sample from the amazing lady for their DNA data base of ‘century babies. Her DNA is now preserved along with all the other ‘century babies’ for study as to why these amazing individuals lived to such an extended age.

Are they our best bet for discovering the elusive Holy Grail of longevity scientists have been searching for? The scientists think so.

Currently, there are only 75 people alive – 64 women and 11 men – that are over the age of 110, according to the Gerontology Research Group in Inglewood California and if the answer to a longer life for humans exists anywhere to be found, it’s probably somewhere in this groups biological and psychological makeup.