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Sophie Attwood's comment piece questioned why people resist fake meat but embrace synthetic bodily enhancements. Two points struck me. First, Botox has been around for decades longer than artificial meat. Comparing public attitudes without accounting for the time each technology has had to become familiar feels misleading. It would be fairer to compare reactions at …

The indications that reductions in particulate pollution may be exposing the real extent of climate change is disturbing. But for some to argue we should therefore ease pollution rules is like trying to say that two wrongs make a right( 13 September, p 40 ).

Previously, proponents of geoengineering solutions to global warming have suggested that reflective aerosol particles could be sprayed into the upper atmosphere to achieve the same sunlight-reflecting effect as aerosol pollution. Opponents argue that this idea seems risky. I would have thought that what has been observed in the Pacific and Indian oceans as a result …

I would like to comment on your review of the book Ferment . I am a German artisan baker, mostly making German sourdough. I also grew up with lots of fermented foods and I would say I have some good knowledge about them. A crucial factor is which of the microorganisms in these foods survive …

I won't be adopting Bryan Johnson's methods for achieving longevity, partly because, at the age of 83, I already have a shot at living to 100, but, more importantly, also because life isn't a rehearsal or a research project. Life is for living. I have had a long career, travelled widely, conducted published research, served …

Your special issue reminds me of the words of 20th-century Lancet editor Theodore Fox: "Life itself is not the most important thing in life. Some cling to it as a miser to his money and to as little purpose. Some risk it for a song, a hope, a cause, for wind in their hair."

While it may appear attractive to readers in the prime of their lives, the reality of living to 100 doesn't appeal to me. Healthy living may be extending lifespan, but not quality of life. My 89-year-old mother is now trapped in a body that has no strength, and my father's memory is failing, so he …

Blueberries are mentioned in many articles on ageing due to the possible beneficial effects of their anthocyanin content. However, I do wonder whether other types of fruit, such as blackcurrants and damsons, should also be considered. These are often cooked, which seems to release the anthocyanins from their skin into solution, whereas blueberries are more …

One more tip for living long is to "go to the doctor". Beyond 50 or so, a regular health check is a good idea. An annual medical with blood tests helps spot illnesses early and builds up a set of data that makes future problems more obvious. Periodic checks on anything that is higher risk …

Chamkaur Ghag says that dark matter is probably made of weakly interacting massive particles, or WIMPs. The article talks of a dark matter WIMP hitting a xenon nucleus, which sounds like a microscopic game of snooker. However, at the quantum level, it means that a WIMP interacted with a xenon nucleus via exchange of a …