Longevity Researchers Launching World’s Largest Dog Aging Study

Published May 9, 2016 at 12:40 PM EDT

Daniel Promislow, co-leader of the Dog Aging Project, and his dog Frisbee.(Photo/Courtesy)

What if new research could make your dog live longer, and healthier? And what if the results of that research could also be applied to you – and your children and grandchildren? That’s the goal of two University of Washington researchers launching the most-extensive-ever study on dog longevity. The Dog Aging Project, about to enter its second phase, will study 10,000 companion dogs, looking at the animals’ genetics, biome, epigenetics and more, and will account for breed, living environment and even social setting.

Daniel Promislow, a professor of pathology and biology at the University of Washington, is founding director of the Canine Longevity Consortium and co-leader of the Dog Aging Project. He joins Here & Now’s Robin Young to discuss the new research.

Guest

Daniel Promislow, professor of pathology and biology at the University of Washington, founding director of the Canine Longevity Consortium; co-leader of the Dog Aging Project.