Aging is a biologic mechanism, not a natural consequence of time. It is programmed into cells and may have not always have been so. Scientists have recently identified a billion-year-old mechanism that appears to regulate aging in mice and other animals - perhaps even humans. Now this begs the question, why did such mechanisms, why did aging, evolve? Put another way what is the evolutionary advantage to aging and death?
Evolution is based on random genetic mutation and survival of the fittest.The system would favor limiting lifespan so as to make way for subsequent generations as a way to promote genetic adaptation to changing environments. Aging and death then would favor survival of the species as a whole.
But what if a species could learn to manipulate its own genetic apparatus so as insure adaptation perhaps in ways 'nature' could never concoct. What purpose aging then? Good question since this is our fate.
It is highly likely we will learn how to stop or reverse aging. We already know that blocking key steps in the aging mechanism in both animal and human studies reduces the incident of age related illnesses - diabetes, certain cancers, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, heart muscle degeneration, and macular degeneration. It is likely then that 'curing' the aging process will result in better health, energy, and outlook making living longer pleasurable, providing a 'physical' youth and a brain elastic, energized and receptive to experience tempered only by what we do to each other and the boundless human capacity for self harm.
There probably is no good reason not to extend life and 'cure' the aging process. Here's the thing - this is likely to occur in your or your children's lifetime.
Are you ready?
Evolution is based on random genetic mutation and survival of the fittest.The system would favor limiting lifespan so as to make way for subsequent generations as a way to promote genetic adaptation to changing environments. Aging and death then would favor survival of the species as a whole.
But what if a species could learn to manipulate its own genetic apparatus so as insure adaptation perhaps in ways 'nature' could never concoct. What purpose aging then? Good question since this is our fate.
It is highly likely we will learn how to stop or reverse aging. We already know that blocking key steps in the aging mechanism in both animal and human studies reduces the incident of age related illnesses - diabetes, certain cancers, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, heart muscle degeneration, and macular degeneration. It is likely then that 'curing' the aging process will result in better health, energy, and outlook making living longer pleasurable, providing a 'physical' youth and a brain elastic, energized and receptive to experience tempered only by what we do to each other and the boundless human capacity for self harm.
There probably is no good reason not to extend life and 'cure' the aging process. Here's the thing - this is likely to occur in your or your children's lifetime.
Are you ready?
Are you ready?
ReplyDeleteI am not ready for anything that far in the future and am usually only ready for the next day, so I don't spend time thinking about it.
When I play chess I can play ahead the next likely move but not all the possible moves. That is more fun.
The point being this is not " so far in the future"
Delete...and it matters a great deal to my 9 year old. Buddhism is applicable to each individual. Exponential technical growth - something for society to talk about, now.
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