Interview with Carlos López Otín, professor of Molecular Medicine and oncology researcher.
Carlos López-Otín (Sabiñánigo,1958) dedicates as much time to literature as to science. “The legacy and identity of who we are is in four letters, but 3 billion times in each of our cells. This is enough to build the 8 billion humans who are here today; all different.” Few scientists can boast of being able to teach the mysteries of Biology with such passion in poetic language.
Considered the cancer detective of Asturias, he and his team discovered 60 human genes and was co-director of the project that allowed the genome of the most common leukemia to be sequenced. The progress, among others, has been reflected in trilogy of lifeformed by Life in four letters, The dream of time Yes Selfish, immortal and travelling. He concisely and precisely sums it up in “we are a molecular miracle, this is what I have learned in my life”.
In his latest work, The lightness of dragonflies (Paidós), claims the values of preventive medicine and mental health. And because of this vrey reason he chooses Paris as his setting, where he currently resides. Throughout the book, the professor of Biochemistry and Molecular biology manages to dialogue with great names in history linked to scientific progress, such as Leonardo Da vinci, James Ewing or Alois Alzheimer.
He left his adopted Oviedo and went to the City of Light with the help of the German biologist Guido Kroemer.“I worked in his laboratory, where we made a lot of progress,” he points out. He recognizes that after what happened with his defamatory campaign he needed to recover “serenity and creativity. For this,nothing better then in an environment where I am close to my best intellectual stimulus,Kroemer,one of the two people to whom I dedicate the book. [la otra es Natalia Vega]”.
Why did you choose a dragonfly as the protagonist?
It is partly a tribute to Borges. Dragonflies are mythical creatures, they come from far away in time. They are fast, with a visual system capable of giving them a very broad panoramic view of the world. Its name comes from the Latin libela, which means balance. Whoever gave it its name was very right, because they understood that balance is its quality.They fly in all directions: forward,backward,up,down. They stop the air, they feed on the wind. They have many gifts.
What can we learn from them?
Very. it takes many months, even years, from egg laying until hatching. But then they have to do everything in two months. The example they offer is very beautiful: life must be lived.That’s the purpose and we have a deadline. Some want to be immortal, but reaching 100 years old is already a fantastic achievement for the human species. You don’t need to be immortal. The dragonfly doesn’t need it, because the others will come later. It is a living being that reminds us at the same time of its extreme fragility and balance.we also have many capabilities, cultural evolution has given us what biological evolution has not given to anyone. Yet we are fragile,we are vulnerable,we are arrogant,we are ignorant.
What do Leonardo Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man and a dragonfly have in common?
Just that,balance.
He left to get away from the noise. Do we live in a society where the impact on mental health is encouraged and overlooked?
Sometimes negative situations occur and therefore noise and toxicity must be avoided. Currently,its worst form is human. Along with physical noise, there is social noise which is generated in many ways. How we relate has a lot of influence.
The subtitle of the book reads “Towards healthcare medicine”. Has today’s medical profession lost the preventative nature preached by the Greeks?
Yes. We must not forget that Medicine is both parts: the one that cures the disease,but also the one that prevents it. We have more than 17,000 diseases and they need to be addressed, but many could be avoided if health medicine were put into practice first. Epidaurus already prescribed healing rest, fasting, very balanced diets, night rest… Today this seems to be a luxury that is obtained in the places that prescribe it and the equity of Medicine is broken. And this is serious.
Here the concept of social determinant comes into play. How does society score in terms of health?
Health is more than a basic right. Now the dilemma is hunger or obesity. Before malnutrition existed, today we have moved towards malnutrition. why? Because the cheapest foods are the ones that harm us the most. and we cannot give lessons to those who do not have access to the healthy.
“Health is the silence of our body.” Why are we only aware of it when we miss it?
It is about the culture of life that should teach us to take responsibility for our daily dialogue with the environment around us. Bad dialogue does not only depend on the fact that we take toxic substances, but also on the way we interact with other human beings. When we go to the doctor its usually because we’ve already had some shipwreck.We don’t notice it until we lose it and it usually doesn’t happen suddenly. Suddenly, one day, we have a slight discomfort. I call it rumor, an internal murmur. Then, something that is no longer a voice, that has not disappeared and that grows in intensity. The volume of the noise increases and, eventually, sometimes becomes a thunderous sound that can cost us our lives. That’s when we go to the doctor and they do the necessary tests. Then you realize that health is the most precious, but very temporary, asset.
I mentioned this at the beginning: “living to 100 is a wonderful achievement.” How do you see this becoming more than a scientific goal?
In the media, in general, we continue to give covers and space to the latest one who says that we will become older than turtles. I don’t understand this because there is no scientific basis for this. And, moreover, from a social point of view it is not necessary. Us [Kramer y él] We have written the most cited articles on aging.They don’t ask me anymore, as I’ve always said that having discovered or defined a new framework of thought on aging will not make us immortal.Why did we do it? That billionaires beleive they can intervene in life, no. we did this to better understand the pathologies linked to the passage of time. This dissonance is what overwhelms us and deserves reflection, far from human toxicity, where the priority today is to defend oneself, as in the times when life was brutal and sordid. Pilar Perez (DM)
iseases #addressed #avoided #health #medicine #put #practice
How does Dr. Carlos López-Otín relate the concepts of balance and fragility to mental health in his work?
Time.news Interview with Dr. Carlos López-Otín: A Journey into the Heart of Molecular Medicine and the Lessons from Dragonflies
Time.news Editor: thank you, Dr. López-Otín, for taking the time to speak with us today. Your work in molecular medicine and cancer research is remarkable,and your ability to convey complex scientific ideas in a poetic manner is truly a gift. You recently released a book titled The Lightness of Dragonflies. Can you tell us what inspired you to choose a dragonfly as the central figure of your narrative?
Dr. Carlos López-Otín: Thank you for having me! The dragonfly holds a special place in my heart, partly as a tribute to Borges. These creatures are mythical and ancient, symbolizing balance—an essential theme in both life and science. They possess remarkable abilities: they can fly in any direction,navigate swiftly,and they truly exemplify the fragility and beauty of existence. Choosing the dragonfly is a reminder of the importance of living life fully within the time we have.
Time.news Editor: That’s a lovely metaphor. You speak about the dragonfly’s lifecycle,emphasizing a sense of urgency in living. Can you elaborate on what you believe we can learn from this creature regarding our own lives?
Dr. Carlos López-Otín: Certainly. Dragonflies spend much of their early life as nymphs, which can last for years, but they have a very short adult life—just a couple of months—to fulfill their purpose. This teaches us a vital lesson: our time on Earth is limited, and thus we must seize every prospect to create meaningful experiences and connections. The human inclination toward seeking immortality often overshadows the beauty of living well within our finite existence. Every moment counts.
Time.news Editor: It’s intriguing how you juxtapose the dragonfly with concepts like balance and fragility—qualities that surely resonate with our daily lives. Could you expand on how this relates to your experiences in mental health and preventive medicine, as discussed in your book?
Dr.Carlos López-Otín: Mental health is frequently enough overshadowed by the noise and chaos of modern life. We live in a society that frequently overlooks its impact on our well-being. Through The Lightness of Dragonflies, I advocate for a deeper awareness of mental health, emphasizing preventive measures. Just like the dragonfly, we must find balance amid our vulnerabilities. Embracing mental health doesn’t just mean addressing crises; it’s about nurturing our emotional resilience daily.
Time.news Editor: You reference historic figures like leonardo da Vinci and Alois Alzheimer in your dialogues throughout the book. What parallels do you see between their contributions and the current challenges we face in science and society?
Dr. Carlos López-Otín: Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man and the dragonfly share a fundamental quality: balance. Da Vinci understood the importance of balance not only in art but in human anatomy and proportions, whereas the dragonfly embodies biological balance. Today, we face numerous challenges—from the complexities of cancer research to mental health crises. Engaging with the legacies of great minds encourages us to strive for balance in innovation and ethics, reminding us that science must serve humanity.
Time.news Editor: You’ve mentioned needing serenity and creativity, especially after facing challenges in your career. How crucial is the environment in fostering creativity for you as a researcher?
Dr. Carlos López-Otín: Environment is everything. moving to Paris, surrounded by intellectual stimuli and collaborating with influential scientists like Guido Kroemer, allowed me to regain my focus and serenity. Creativity thrives in supportive and inspiring environments. When we are free from distractions and anchored by passionate individuals, that’s when true innovation can occur.
Time.news Editor: you have mentioned the challenge of balancing ambition with humility in a field that frequently enough encourages arrogance.How do you navigate this dichotomy in your own work?
Dr.Carlos López-Otín: It’s vital to remain grounded. While ambition drives us to explore new frontiers in science, humility reminds us of our limitations and the vastness of what we don’t know. Acknowledging our fragility as humans fosters collaboration and openness, leading to breakthroughs. We must constantly remind ourselves that we are but a small part of a much larger puzzle—this keeps us curious and humble.
Time.news Editor: Dr. López-Otín, thank you for sharing your insights and inspirations with us today. Your words offer much to reflect on regarding our lives, health, and the profound lessons nature has to teach us.
Dr.Carlos López-Otín: Thank you for the opportunity! Remember, just like the dragonfly, life is an unusual journey to be embraced fully.
