Aubrey de Grey is revered by many and mocked by others.

His provocative ideas have spurned a debate in the scientific community on issues of aging. De Grey, a researcher at Cambridge University in England, believes that aging is a disease that can be cured. Plus, he believes that humans have the ability to live for centuries.

The so-called Prophet of Immortality explains to the Growing Bolder Radio Show why he believes the first person to live to 1,000 is already alive today. He says aging is merely a side effect of being alive.

His plan for longer lives involves preventing and repairing seven specific byproducts of aging. The good news, he says, is that the therapies already exist to achieve that goal.