The Speculist

Well, we're halfway there. The Methuselah Foundation has now raised half a million dollars towards the Methuselah Mouse Prize.

The Methuselah Foundation, creators of the Methuselah Mouse Prize, the world’s first scientific prize for research on extending longevity, today announced that it has secured $500,000 in funding commitments and a long term support commitment from an anonymous supporter making his donation in the name of the X PRIZE Foundation, the multi-million-dollar bounty which has successfully encouraged the development of private passenger space travel.

“We’ve seen how prizes such as the X PRIZE and the Methuselah Mouse Prize can dramatically increase competition and innovation, and create interest for the public,” said Dr. Peter H. Diamandis, Founder and Executive Producer of the X PRIZE. “With this contribution, we’re signaling our belief that Prizes can not only take us into space, but help bring about breakthroughs in the way we live and age.”

“We’re thrilled to have the support of the X PRIZE, said David Gobel, Director of the Methuselah Foundation and the Methuselah Mouse Prize. “This landmark contribution will further swell the size of the Prize, and encourage scientific research teams around the world to develop breakthrough techniques for extending the healthy human lifespan. It will create a needed impetus and focus for the development of new rejuvenation therapies.”

Wow, a major donation to the life extension effort made in the name of the X Prize. One good turn deserves another, it seems.

(via FuturePundit)