Living forever

[Uzor]

With researchers possibly having found a bacteria that renews its own DNA, thus preventing aging and allowing it to live forever, its a step closer to scientists finding a way to completely prevent human aging. Or at the very least slow it down.

Now, I have to ask myself, as I assume these scientists are smart, intelligent humans, why on earth would they want humans to be unable to die from old age?

Sure, it can be fun for the first generation of people to live forever. That is, until we're in the hundreds or thousand billions, lacking food, space to live, etc. Not to mention the increased effects of global warming, etc. It just seems to me they haven't thought it through in any way at all. I can think of various reasons humans should not live forever. Hell, I can think of various reasons humans shouldn't exist at all. We're a plague. Completely preventing aging would lead to our own extinction, and possibly a lot of other creatures, as well. Whether or not that is a good thing depends on your own personal opinion.

Now, one could argue that only certain people would be allowed to "live forever". I have to ask, though, would this be a good choice? If all politicians were allowed a way to live forever, it would cause the remaining population to protest, and possibly rebel, against the state, and possibly lead to wars. Why should politicians be allowed to live forever, and not the rest of the population? That would undoubtedly be one of the largest questions asked. Now, assuming it would cost a lot to live forever, if even possible to do after birth, it still wouldn't be a good thing. Imagine people like Osama Bin Ladin or Fidel Castro, Hitler, or any other future dictators that could come, would buy it. They could terrorize the world for a long time to come, assuming they do not commit suicide, or get killed in war or assassination.

Really, in all honesty, can you think of a single good thing that could come out of being unable to die from old age? Hell, even allowing us to die from old age at 200 years, would cause problems, as that would more then double the world's population. And we are, as it stands, already too many.

So really, can anyone give me a good reason why on earth scientists are trying oh-so-hard to find a way to stop aging?

 

[Raesvelg]

Increased lifespan and standard of living is almost always accompanied by a decrease in birth rate. Though, to be honest, I'm not a huge fan of the concept of immortality... for other people.

 

[Uzor]

decreased birth rate wouldn't really matter. We'd still have people giving birth to babies, that wouldn't stop. So eventually we'd have more people then the world can support.

 

[Dancingweapon]

I don't even think I want to live forever... It would be horrible, I'm dreading growing up now because I don't wanna have to work lol. I'd rather stay at school for the rest of my life...

 

[Tyrath]

Can of worms, don't open it, etc.

 

[Elemmire]

humans living too long = bad :| could cause serious stagnation in our society and evolution, not to mention we prolly would still be giving birth (sex wouldn't stop >.> and people are stupid) so the world would become too overcrowded (it already is.. but more so) and that'd just be bad.. besides.. who wants to live forever? That seems like hell

 

[Nicolette]

If it was just me, living forever and not aging past 25, it would be great. Noone else though k?

 

[Arctyrael]

I only like this idea for the day humans can become an interplanet plague. If we have too many people - deport them to the next planet.

 

[Vandoura]

I rather use those for animal that is really extremely endanger to extinction, this will help the species enough time to reproduce themself out of extinction. For Human usage... i would not use it on them unless is for good cause. Such as like a group of human really want to sacifices themself to explore the outer space. Since space is big! and takes billions of light years to get point A to point B depend on where they want to go, Never age, never get old, never die, immortality will be best use on space travel. Robotic can't fix faulty equipment on board and if robotic fails, basicly everything fail, but if human is on board, stuff can be fix, able to communicate with station on earth and such.

But.. living in space for thousand of years or eve billions... well it seem kinda bored don't you think? XD

 

[Xalioniaf]

I only like this idea for the day humans can become an interplanet plague. If we have too many people - deport them to the next planet.

This right here. And if they can make it last as long as two current generations or more, then long-distance space travel by one crew could become possible.
Don't unleash the immortal plague before we have space colonies!

 

[Novolo]

i propose teh zombie theory! >.> bacteria regenerating human cells.. what if some one dies, like the brain dies and the body keeps living, maybe theyll be a vegi but what if the bacteria attacks the brain and teh brain atatcks the body which then inturns make the body attack another body to infect another body.... and so forth ZOMBIES ARE COMIN ZOMGEH!

 

[Uzor]

they wouldn't actually inject us with the bacteria. The plan is to study them and their DNA to see how they work, and then see if it would be possible to genetically alter other animals in the same way, to allow that animal's cells to work in the same way. The same way being renew its own DNA.

 

[Gerry]

When I was younger I absolutely loved the idea of immortality, and I sorta still do in a less traditional sense. None of this slowed down ageing bullshit, I just want to do something with my life that'll make at least 1 person remember me when I die, and carry on my memory long after I have died.

I think true immortality is getting people to recognize you for the good in life. Kinda like presidents of nations like President Lincoln. No-one will ever forget about his work, and I believe he is truely immortal.

Message to scientists: STOP PLAYING GOD! Its not cool!

 

[Zephayra]

No. I'd be out of work.

 

[Tim Wakefield]

I could stay at 23 years old and wait for all my sisters hot friends to catch up. Win-Win in my book. Sign me up.

 

[Celvantes]

I don't know if I'd want to live forever, but I wouldn't mind staying 25 for a hundred years or so. There's just so much that I want to do that I don't think I could fit it all in one lifetime.

 

[Novolo]

haha i feel ya celv i feel ya, i wish i could go back and be 16 forever :\

 

[Onu]

I wouldn't mind immortality, I'd like to see the world progress beyond my years. You ever see/read Interview with a Vampire? kinda like that, but minus the need to drink blood and the damnation.

 

[Uzor]

A lot of people would want to live forever, or at least as long as they want to. What's why the scientists are doing the researhc, because its a huan dream. The question is whether or not its actually GOOD for mankind to achieve said dream.

 

[Pasquale]

I want to live forever. You could see everything the world has to offer, and when the world ends, you could float around space seeing everything else. I don't think I would be sad or regret my decision. I think it would be amazing.