It's officially unofficial; pharmaceutical companies are beginning to test drugs that supposedly retard the aging process in humans, allowing for mankind to live longer and presumably healthier lives.

The leading candidate drug is being manufactured by Sirtris Pharmaceuticals. The drug is resveratrol, a chief ingredient found in grapes and wine. Resveratrol works by tricking the body into eating less, allowing for humans to engage in a calorie restricted diet, a lifestyle typically impossible to keep by the human species.

As to be expected, there are many debating the usefulness and ethics of such a drug. Should pharmaceutical companies, for example, be spending so much money on a drug that doesn't even cure a disease? Furthermore, should the medical world strive to change what is so fundamentally natural in our lives (You know the saying, "The only thing you really have to do is die.")? 

On the other hand, shouldn't the medical community be focusing on bettering the lives of the human species (You know the other saying, "Bigger, Badder, Stronger.")? 

To read about all sides of the debate, click here for the full article: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/18/science/18aging.html?_r=1&8dpc