21st Century: How Long Will We Live?

Life Expectancy: Numbers are rising. We will live forever, in time.

Right now, the 3rd of June, 2013, there are 11 people on Earth who was born in the 1800's. These people are all older than 112 years old, being the oldest among the oldest people alive in the world. These people are now receiving medical help to maintain their lives, as their bodies are not strong enough to sustain itself. In a way, the medications are playing a huge role in their survival. If these people were living in 1913, with the age over 112, unfortunately they will not be able to stay alive much longer. Since the mortality rate of a person increases geometrically as someone ages. without the aid of medical procedures, it can be said that it is almost impossible to live over the age of one hundred let alone a hundred and ten. However, as science develops and medications improve, people are expected to live much longer than just 110.

The medical industry has flourished and the understanding of biology has increased incredibly in the recent times. This had led to scientist expecting to create the 'Elixir of Youth'. Science experts also claim that the first person to ever peak the age of 150, has already been born. Furthermore, with the demand of wanting live longer, there currently is a field of study called 'Life extension science'. 'Life extension science' is a study devoted to find methods to slow down or reverse the process of aging to extend both the maximum and average lifespan. Longevists(people who want to live longer themselves) believe that when the technology of tissue rejuvenation becomes possible to be applied to mankind, the average lifespan of a man will be indefinite. Although this does not sound logical, science can give a theory of how such technology will be brought to life. The reason why such is possible lies in the process of aging. The process is simply an accumulation of damage as cells regenerate in the body. This damage is a result of oxidation, like the way iron rusts. If scientist are capable of manipulating the DNA of humans, change the properties the cells have regarding reproduction, it is clear that laboratories will certainly be able to design humans to not age at all. However, there is no way in the status quo that people will be able to develop such complex technology. Even though experts say they will, all this sounds just like any other science fiction. There must be more evidence of how this seemingly unrealistic idea is not entirely a dream. The evidence lies in nature itself. Nature already has an answer to a much higher level of preventing aging. It already the opened the door to immortality.

Nature currently has a prototype of immortal organisms. It is a very well known micro-organism, the Hydra.The hydra is very much the closest thing that can be compared to Marvel Comics' 'Wolverine'. Hydras regenerate their cells not by reproducing them from the stem cell like humans, but the simply divide a currently existing one into half. This allows the accumulation of defects and toxins to be diluted. In conclusion, hydras basically, do not age. This is called senescence, or biological immortality. Apart from hydras, there are different animals that are thought to undergo senescence and they are: tardigrades, bacteria, jellyfish, and lobsters.

In the end, the hope mankind has, going towards immortality is not totally absurd. Although it may sound hypothetical, the chances are that people will some day reach a point of creating immortal humans.There are current science groups working on the creation of immortal humans. The pioneer of such research collaboration is the SENS Research Foundation that supports several research pathways that could lead to engineered negligible senescence in humans. Some time in the future, people may be transformed into a species that do not die just because it's time for them to go.

Dreaming of mortality in the 21st century might be a little risky. However, in the 21st century people will exceed the Guinness World Records of the oldest person ever alive. I might be able to hit the age of 150, and my parents and teachers might be able to meet their 130th birthday. Moreover, in the 21st century, people will have hope in science, of which that one day, mankind will not be able to exceed their limits, whatever it is.

Here's a video about aging and more!