As usual it looks like technology development is racing ahead without much thought of the implications for society. The article below:
Silicon Valley launches another bid to ‘hack’ aging, cheat death
claims that we are made up of a stack of DNA source code just waiting to be hacked. I don’t think the analogy is quite correct or that simple. However, even when research is done for the wrong or irrelevant reasons, many times serendipitous events happen and great discoveries and advances are made. I say let them go for it but also be prepared for a long, long wait for dramatic increases in lifespan.
People like Aubrey de Grey of SENS talk of using science to cure aging. Some say that human lifespans will be extended beyond 900 years. It is intriguing and interesting research. Hopefully there will be some useful spin offs for the vast numbers of seniors who could use more mundane assistance such as better food, housing, health care, etc.
We can’t even take care of all the people we have now. Maybe some of that prize money could go toward a search for cures for terrible diseases like ebola and malaria. Why not put all of this energy and funding into improving the quality of everyone’s lives? Let’s hope that “hacking age” eliminates some diseases and helps people age more comfortably.
The quest for immortality is not a new dream. People have been searching for an elixir of life since time immemorial.
I do think the motivation of a prize, the Palo Alto Longevity Prize, will fund some good research and this might come up with advances. It’s ironic that a lot of the people trying to extend life also happen to be very wealthy. Let’s hope that the knowledge gained from these efforts is used to benefit all people and not just a few who can afford the latest medical technology.
I will follow this movement and keep you posted.