4 replies to this topic

[tobithus]

This article says by 2010 we'll be able to extend the human lifespan to 150. What does everyone think?

http://www.americana...T2/zindler.html

[JonesGuy]

The article won't open for me.

However, I think to get a life-span of 150 years, you'd need to genetically modify people. I'm a big fan of the technology, but we're just not there yet. We certainly won't have the knowledge necessary to alter humans by 2010, and society certainly won't let us try, either.

There's a fairly large phobia about genetically modifying people (with good reason, there's a lot that can be messed up).

BUT, there's a lot of potential. And there's a different way of asking the question.

In 2010, you're going to be about 30. And you're asking if lifespans of 150 will be possible by then. Well, for you, it's very likely. Because, I'm quite sure that we'll have the technology to boost the average age by 70 years within the next 60 years. So, the advances don't have to be by 2010 - they just have to occur before you're ready to kick the bucket. KnowwhatImean?

[Bruce Klein]

the google cashed page should work:

http://216.239.41.10...&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

[kevin]

QJones...

I agree that 2010 is optimistic.. but we really won't know if any of the therapies developed for treating current diseases, like cancer for instance, will be also extend lifespan. I think that many of them will be able to do both.

Rest assured, the more stem cell news I read, the more convinced I am that there must shortly be a movement of the boomer generation to putting more resources and pressure on the government to bring treatments to the clinic. Many of these treatments will involve regeneration of older and malfunctoning biological systems while treating disease at the same time...

When the 'side effects' of stem cell treatment prove to be increased vigour and youthful appearance, I don't think there will be much stopping or even slowing the process down and there will be a stampede towards the life-extension exit door.

[JonesGuy]

Buddy, I'm counting on it. I'm kinda betting my future on the explosion of stem cell advances. Of course, in Canada, we're at risk of the Senate passing legislation limiting the research into stem cells (since the anti-cloning laws have stem cell implications).

I certainly think we'll make extreme headway by 2010, but I don't think we'll be able to add 70 years to an 80 year old.

... but the scaling system is weird. Because I'm pretty sure we'll be able to add 5 years to an 80 year old. And within 5 more years, we'll be able to add a couple more ...