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Live Long,
If You Prosper
At an age that lies
somewhere between Kid Rock and Mr. Spock, any
talk of extending my stay with the living gets the immediate
attention of my good ear. While waiting in a crowded
clinic for a flu shot, I overheard two people discussing
an article one was reading about "living forever". This
immunized me from terminal boredom by injecting my
thoughts with several interesting questions. Will medical science
develop a fountain of youth in my lifetime? Will these
life extending treatments be available for everyone? How
much earlier do I need to get here next flu season, to get
a better magazine selection?
Scientists are close to
unlocking the genetic secrets that could allow us live for
centuries, maybe forever. Researchers around the world are
learning more about how and why we age. Advances in
biotechnology, tissue regeneration, artificial organs,
diagnostic procedures and life saving drugs will make it
almost certain that we will enjoy longer lives as time
progresses. Some scientists predict that by the year 2075,
medical technology will have slowed the aging process to a
crawl and eliminated most life threatening illnesses.
But don't buy your tickets
for the 2080 Summer Olympics just yet. There may be a high price to pay for living
longer. Will health plans cover treatments that extend
lives past their "natural" end? What will manufacturers
charge for a drug that promises eternal life? The obvious
answers are; "Not likely." and "As much as they can."
For the sake of society, especially my part in it, I hope
that life extending breakthroughs will be available for
all. Perhaps in the years that it takes for us to develop
these advanced medical techniques, we will also learn
enough about ourselves to become more fair and
compassionate.
The
Longest Lifespan
Jeanne Louise Calment
February 21, 1875 – August 4, 1997
Longest confirmed lifespan
in history at 122 years and 164 days.
Her lifespan has been thoroughly
documented by scientific study;
more records have been produced
to verify her age than for any other
case.
Source:
Wikipedia
Do you want to live
longer?
Exercise regularly.
Eat right.
Check with your doctor before beginning
any exercise routine or change of diet.
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