Demographic change, with all the pressures it places on the economic and healthcare systems, makes adaptation a necessity, not a nice to have. Just a 20 per cent reduction in six major diseases, Lord Lebedev added, would lead to an annual GDP boost of nearly £20 billion, according to Andrew Scott at The Global Institute. This would deliver great benefits in quality of life to the individual, and some relief for the Exchequer. As a starting point, ministers ought to listen to the Standard’s Brave New World podcast, which explores the realms of longevity, neuroscience, biohacking and psychedelics.