Race for Longevity could be Won in Our Lifetime

Mapping the human genome by the year 2000 would have been impossible if knowledge had accumulated at a steady pace. Instead it relied on breakthroughs, often in unrelated subjects, which continuously accelerated the rate of progress.

No one could predict exactly what those breakthroughs would be, but scientists knew they would occur because overall knowledge doubles every three years.

Now the race is on to slow down aging. We’re currently adding up to two and a half years life expectancy every decade, that’s up to 6 hours every day. The quest is to add a year every year so that those who are able to benefit can live indefinitely. Ray Kurzweil believes that by 2045 technology will have reached the point where that can become a reality, and Aubrey de Grey is confident that some people alive today can live to 1000 or beyond.

If they’re right, can we as individuals keep up with the pace of change that happens around us? Imagine being born 1000 years ago and adjusting to all the shifts taking place in religion, politics, technology or even just food and fashion. Today’s 80 year olds often struggle with the challenges of modern life, how will we cope when change is occurring even faster and we’re over 500? We’re going to need to be very adaptable.

I don’t think any of us are psychologically prepared for the changes that will happen this century. We need to stay fit and healthy to still be here in 2045, but we also need to do something about our mental limitations, otherwise a longer life might not be a blessing, but a curse.