Life Extension Foundation

The Life Extension Foundation (LEF) is a non-profit, tax-exempt membership organization based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. [cite web|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C01E5D7123BF93BA1575AC0A961958260|title=Technology Makes Us Optimistic; They Want To Live|publisher=New York Times|accessdate=2008-02-07|last=|first=] [cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,3604,1129295,00.html|title=Stephen Valentine talks about the battle to conquer death |publisher=The Guardian|accessdate=2008-02-07|last=|first=] [cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2001-07-11-house-drugs.htm|title=House approves mail-order purchase of drugs|publisher=USATODAY.com |accessdate=2008-02-07|last=|first=] Members of LEF receive the monthly magazine "Life Extension" [cite web | title = Life Extension Magazine | publisher = Life Extension Foundation | date = 1995-2008 | url = http://www.lef.org/magazine/index.htm | accessdate = 2008-02-04 ] which contains many articles well-referenced with peer-reviewed scientific journal citations informing people about the latest advances in the life extension sciences, with emphasis on the benefits of dietary supplements. By 2007 the readership of this magazine was suggested to be 350,000 [http://www.lifeextensionfoundation.org/leforg_site/pdf/brochures/Passport%20To%20The%20Future.pdf] .

The Life Extension Foundation is supported by dues from its members, and also by profits from the "Life Extension Foundation Buyer's Club" (abbreviated either LEFBC or LEBC), a separate for-profit private company that sells dietary supplements by mail order, phone order and website, with discounts to LEF members. Some profits from LEFBC product sales are donated to expand LEF company resources and to fund life extension research by offering grants to scientists in universities and by supporting biotech companies.

The Life Extension Foundation claims to be the largest organization in the world dedicated to life extension sciencescite web | title = What is the Life Extension Foundation? | publisher = Life Extension Foundation | date = 1995-2008 | url = http://www.lef.org/about_us/what_is_lef.htm| accessdate = 2008-02-04 ] . LEF was founded in 1980 by Saul Kent, and as of February, 2003, claimed 78,000 members [cite web | title = A 20th Anniversary | work = Report| publisher = Life Extension Foundation | date = 1995-2008 | url = http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2003/feb2003_report_lemix_01.html | accessdate = 2008-02-04 ] .

"Life Extension" magazine also reports on political and bureaucratic developments which could hamper the progress of life extension science as well as hamper consumer access to products and information. These reports place special emphasis on the activities of the Food and Drug Administration, often encouraging letter-writing campaigns.

See also

* Health freedom movement

References

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[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C01E5D7123BF93BA1575AC0A961958260 The New York Times, September 28, 1997 - "Technology Makes Us Optimistic; They Want To Live" By Alex Heard]