"Everything!!" answers Professor S. Michal Jazwinski of Louisiana State University, an expert in the field of aging research.

A greater understanding of the mechanisms of caloric restriction that could enable scientists to impose it painlessly first on research animals and then perhaps humans would be of great benefit. One important age-related disease is type 2 diabetes, and caloric restriction--because it seems to result in better insulin sensitivity--could potentially play a significant role in reducing the consequences of that disease.

Cardiovascular disease is also an age-related disease, and animal models can be enormously valuable in understanding its genesis and treatment. Another disease that is associated with aging is osteoarthritis, and our understanding of it, too, will be enhanced by developing appropriate animal models.

Much of the aging process in humans and other animals involves a loss of function. For example, we lose muscle mass with age. Animal models that permit us to understand this process might permit us to develop useful treatments or better still, preventive measures.