By: Victoria Stevens
The Hollywood Times New York 06/27/2026- There is ongoing debate about whether it is ethically sound to develop solutions to halt or reverse aging, or to accept a natural life span and allow death to occur at a certain age. According to Dr. Tony Wyss-Coray, who studies brain aging and neurodegeneration at Stanford University, likens it to what happens to a car. “You get it off the lot and it’s all shiny, and everything works perfectly. As you keep driving it over the years, all the parts look older. It may still run fine, but the exposure to the elements and usage leads to a growing level of wear and tear and then ultimately dysfunction.”
At this year’s Tribeca Festival, the documentary The A Word: The Future of Aging, directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Greg Kohs, follows pioneering scientist Celine Halioua as she works to develop what could become the world’s first FDA-approved drug designed to delay aging in dogs.
“I love the opportunity to tell the story on what we are working on in such a unanimous way. Being able to bring in dogs and the older individuals has really been a wholesome way in talking about what we are doing,” explained Halioua.
Halioua emphasized that her team’s guiding philosophy is “do no harm.” If studies showed even minor side effects in the dog population, she said, the team would not move the drug forward for FDA consideration.
The treatment is intended only for healthy dogs, with the goal of helping them stay healthier as they age. Full studies are underway, and Halioua said the data is currently promising. She also noted that the team received FDA approval last year.
The drug is intended for healthy dogs aged 10 and older as they enter their senior years. Its goal is to help dogs remain healthier for longer, addressing the period when many owners are especially focused on preserving their pets’ quality of life.
Halioua identifies two major factors that can shorten a dog’s life: the effects of unhealthy aging and the risks associated with overbreeding, shelter overcrowding, and euthanasia. In her view, helping dogs live longer, healthier lives requires supporting both the animals and the owners who care for them.
One idea she has proposed is a loyalty program that would offer a free year of the drug to owners who adopt a senior pet from a shelter. As a pet owner herself, Halioua believes this approach could give older dogs a better chance at adoption, reduce euthanasia, and help ease the pressure on overcrowded shelters.
Another participate in the documentary, Caroline Janover, has different views when it comes to having the ability to live longer.
Janover expressed concern that efforts to extend life should be considered alongside broader social and economic realities. In her view, society must first address major needs such as health care, environmental pressures, employment, and the high cost of aging.
She also noted that longer lifespans can create financial strain for families, whether older adults remain at home or move into assisted living. If people live significantly longer without additional resources, Janover worries that costs could fall on younger families and affect the financial security of future generations.
Janover, now 83, survived two bouts of cancer in her 40s and remains active. She lives with her 15-year-old dog, Wolfgang Mozart.
In conclusion, the debate over aging continues: should science help people and animals live longer, or should society accept the natural limits of life? Ultimately, the question remains where we stand on that choice.
