This wise statement regarding aging and health was made by Craig Venter, a prominent figure in the fields of genomics and biotechnology. He stresses that growing older makes us more susceptible to a variety of illnesses, but he also emphasizes that age is not a disease in and of itself.

Understanding human genetics and how it affects different facets of life and health has been made possible thanks in large part to Venter's work. His statement emphasizes the difference between the diseases that typically develop as we age and the normal passage of time. It would be equivalent to stating that although rust develops over time, it is a result of exposure to the elements and is not a feature of being an automobile.

Venter uses this analogy to help people view aging more positively and concentrate on taking preventative steps to stay healthy as they age. This viewpoint changes the focus of the discussion from acknowledging that age-related decline is unavoidable to taking proactive measures that people can take to prolong their health.

Venter's experience includes founding multiple biotech companies and spearheading projects like the human genome sequencing. His observations on aging are indicative of his larger interest in applying scientific knowledge to enhance everyone's longevity and health.