[We all will age]

In 1977/78 the American Research-plan toward understanding aging 'Our future selves' was published. In this article the report of the panel on biomedical research is reviewed. The report appears to be very comprehensive and to give a carefully detailed research plan. It will certainly take many years to realise all the plans. Part of the research could very well be done in the Netherlands although only to a limited extent. The governmental planning-group, which is developing a research plan for gerontology in the Netherlands, should make a sensible selection out of the many items mentioned in the American plan. After all, it is of vital importance to all of us, our future selves.