Immortality (in Medicine)

[Tgump]

This thread is not here to discuss 'magical' immortality. Rather, it is to discuss the medical possibility of immortality. As noted by some other users, we are on a whole new paradigm of medicine; the life expectancy for American men in 1900 was 47.9. Today, it is 75.6.

In just over 100 years, we nearly doubled our life expectancy. Many illnesses and inhibitions (e.g. Polio and bone wear) are now treatable and in some cases fully curable. This is just the beginning, too - scientists and doctors are still cutting people up on cold beds with sharp metal objects.

These facts considered, what do you think will happen within your lifetime? What do you think your actual lifetime will be? Will we be living to the age of 150 or more by 2100 if diseases such as heart disease and cancer are as easily treatable as polio or broken bones are today?

 

[1234567ASDF]

I just recently heard that they found the gene to see if you will live really long or not too!

This is amazing, I think they will soon cure the current diseases as well.

hopefully one day we will all (HEATHILY) live to 100.

 

[Billetes]

That's truly amazing. And yes, technology and science will keep evolving and growing so we can only expect better things to come , we don't know what things are going to be like in the future for sure but we can predict somewhat.

 

[Rsaccounttrader]

I personally believe that the US Government and other high powers do not want people to be able to live to 100+ before they can predict how that will affect the livelihood of everyone. This is because, currently, most people over 65 cannot work to benefit the world but still use its resources. So even if they found a way to extend lifetime dramatically, they could possible hold it back from the public.

 

[TripleSix]

I think one day it will be possible to prolong ones life indefinately (as long as the recources are available). It may even be in our lifetime. So you and I could essentially... live long enough to live forever.

 

[Seabiscuit]

These facts considered, what do you think will happen within your lifetime? I honestly think the cure for AIDS will be found. How much I would love to see this happen, I doubt it will, but life on another planet, or "aliens" taking vast number of people to their planets. I don't believe in supernaturla things such as aliens, but it would be good nontheless.

What do you think your actual lifetime will be? I hope to live to at least 70

Will we be living to the age of 150 or more by 2100 if diseases such as heart disease and cancer are as easily treatable as polio or broken bones are today? I really hope so, but one can not be for sure.

 

[Billetes]

I personally believe that the US Government and other high powers do not want people to be able to live to 100+ before they can predict how that will affect the livelihood of everyone. This is because, currently, most people over 65 cannot work to benefit the world but still use its resources. So even if they found a way to extend lifetime dramatically, they could possible hold it back from the public.

Good thinking, I think they will just make it exclusive and really expensive so that the rich people can buy the "medicine" or whatever they come out with. IMO, there is a cure for AIDS, but it's only exclusive to the very rich and powerful. Just look at magic johnson, he had AIDS and he's been alive for how long..? I'm pretty sure he doesn't even have aids anymore.

 

[Tgump]

This is because, currently, most people over 65 cannot work to benefit the world but still use its resources. So even if they found a way to extend lifetime dramatically, they could possible hold it back from the public.

Grasp the possibilities of medicine you do not. It's very possible that our skin and bodies will age much more well, increasing the 'working age' cutoff. Also, this will start a shistorm, so I won't get into it much, but there's a high probability the USA won't even exist by the time these developments come to light.

 

[pk k0nka]

I really hope we can't become immortal, don't believe it is right and wouldn't be good for the world.

But yeah, I think in my lifetime lots of diseases will be curable, however I think that there will be new strands of disease that will replace them.

 

[Angelmax]

Good thinking, I think they will just make it exclusive and really expensive so that the rich people can buy the "medicine" or whatever they come out with. IMO, there is a cure for AIDS, but it's only exclusive to the very rich and powerful. Just look at magic johnson, he had AIDS and he's been alive for how long..? I'm pretty sure he doesn't even have aids anymore.

Have you not heard of antiretrovirals?


On topic, there are some examples in biology of animals which appear to not undergo senescence (aging) at all. The Hydra . Biological immortality has also been observed in aquatic microbes called Tardigrades and in a species of jellyfish.

I would think that the greatest potential for extending the lifespan of other species would lie in further study here.

 

[Psychomantis]

I'm pretty sure he doesn't even have aids anymore.

I lol'd
I'm putting that in my sig

 

[MiP2]

Immortality is not possible. IMO humans can live to maximum of ~150-200 years, since even if you live healthy, your heart will eventually give up.
That means death obviously.

 

[J2x4]

To be truly immortal is to be perfect, and to make something that would make us immortal would take a creator that is perfect and no human is.

 

[danielOATH]

And there, the issue lies.
As we are able to live longer, more and more diseases that are only caused by long life (long term exposer to substances etc) are coming into play.
It will eventually get to the point where not diseases, but the deterioration of our functioning cells will be the death of us, truly dying of old age. Studies have shown that the human tissue breaks down rapidly at about 125ish, making it nearly impossible to live past then.
DNA reconstructing in stem cell research has shown to be promising. This is literally making your cells younger, in turn, making you younger. This is the only current method thought up that will allow us to live past the age of deterioration.

Who wants to live forever, though? I believe that TRUE joy in life is derived from the idea that every day we live may be our last. If you know that you cannot die due to modern medicines, TRUE joy would be taken away. For those of you who have experienced a life changing event, TRUE life changing event, you'll know that nothing feels better than that very moment. Thats caused by your conscience telling you that it's no longer a life wasted.

With increased life expectancy, the population is sure to rise, depleting out resources sooner than hoped for, due to more buildings, roads, etc needed.

It's a nice thought to be able to live well into the 3 digits, but I like the idea of death.

 

[ge mal]

An immortal existence would be sad and lonely one. Watching those around you slowly fade from memory while you remain alone would be hard psychologically. But that doesn't even bring in the medical effects of living to such an old age. Your vital organs will eventually go, unless you have them transplanted from something else, as there is no way you can prevent them detioriorating from extreme age. I am also fairly sure that once your blood gets to a certain point it stops functioning properly too.

 

[I_Shine]

Well there is a thing called 'Stem cells' that could dramatically change the world of medicine, it can cure cancer, dunno bout aids but can also increase ur life expectancy but the government are preventing this from happening because they believe that it is murder, cause stem cells uses embryos and embryos comes from female eggs.

 

[Chriscross23]

I doubt immortality will EVER be open to the general public. Can you imagine population? It would be more densely populated than china everywhere.

 

[Angelmax]

Maybe people would have less children. The birth rate is already lower than one per person in many countries.

 

[Tgump]

I doubt immortality will EVER be open to the general public. Can you imagine population? It would be more densely populated than china everywhere.

More people means more knowledge, and more ability to grow. Colonizing other planets, especially with the possibility of 'garden worlds' (such as Earth) outside the Milky Way. Overpopulation really isn't a problem in this sense.

 

[Vulge]

I think, in the future; scientists and doctors will be able to replace your old, used cells, will new healthy ones. Although we can replace bones and It's even possible to have an artificial heart and lungs. It's your brain that keeps you going and it will eventually... wear out.

I'm no scientist or doctor, But I believe the human body is very well made, we can repair our cells very well. As long as we are healthy and can cure the big things in our life e.g; broken bones, diseases. I think our bodies have the possibilities to renew cells.

Here's a list of some things humans can fix:

Broken Bones: Can be fixed from a cast, or even pins and metal
Eyes: Your vision may fade, but that's due to the lense on your eye getting de-shaped, this can be cured with laser eye surgery. I have also seen a documentary on a lady who was blind, they managed to connect the electrons inside her eye, via microscopic 'things' which allowed to be able to see black & white again
Heart: If your heart begins to deteriorate, there IS official hearts which can keep you going, which while your artificial heart is in, they can be finding you a new one.
Lungs: There IS artificial lungs
Tumors: Can be removed
Cancers: Scientists are finding new ways to kill certain types of cancers, I think in the future, cancer will be easy to kill.
Brain: This is where it's hard... you're brain isn't something you can temporarily remove or anything, ALTHOUGH, it is proven; Your body does regenerate brain cells just like your bodies system does with other cells.

There is many other things which aren't curable at THIS TIME But think about it... future.... It's forever really, there is so much time so there WILL be immortality some time.

An immortal existence would be sad and lonely one. Watching those around you slowly fade from memory while you remain alone would be hard psychologically. But that doesn't even bring in the medical effects of living to such an old age. Your vital organs will eventually go, unless you have them transplanted from something else, as there is no way you can prevent them detioriorating from extreme age. I am also fairly sure that once your blood gets to a certain point it stops functioning properly too.

Who sais this? it's more people give up and THINK they are old, there are stories of people who are at the age of 100+ and are still active. It's about keeping fit and healthy no matter what age you are at. Some people, when they reach the age of 60+ think they have to retire and just sit at home, when they can really be out and about doing things.

I doubt immortality will EVER be open to the general public. Can you imagine population? It would be more densely populated than china everywhere.

By the time immortality is 'released' It's more then likely we would have migrated to other planets, especially seeing as how humans are evolving in technology these days... In the past 100 years, humans have evolved computers from being a 1 tonne machine to being a hand held little chip, which stores alot of information. We have sent robots to planets which roam around there, powered by solar energy. Really, there is no limits.

Humans aren't built to give up, anyone that believes there will NEVER be immortality or wont even think of the fact of moving to other planets... well... they should. The universe is endless and there is no limits

These facts considered, what do you think will happen within your lifetime? What do you think your actual lifetime will be?

I'm not going to give up I'm going to stay active for as long as I live, I'm going to stay as fit as I can and not give up just because I'm old. Just to stay a regular happy person, till the day I day (that's my goal anyway)


Anyway, there's alot more I wanted to say... But meh