Nematodes are amongst the most abundant life forms on earth.
They are microscopic worms that live pretty much everywhere, including in us.
The average life span of a nematode is around 12 days. Scientists have successfully
extended the lifespan of some nematodes up to 30 days. The idea is that what we
learn about these tiny creatures may provide benefits to human existence.
Specifically, extending the average human life-span.
Life spans have increased and there is speculation that it is
possible for a human to live much longer than we currently do. Say, 120 or even
150 years. And for some folks, that’s a conservative estimate.
However, there is speculation in the fields of science that
humankind is on course for a different fate, known as the “technological
singularity” at which point non-biological intelligence will overtake human
intelligence. Singularity is a physics term that refers to the “event horizon”
of black holes beyond which it is impossible to see.
The speculation is not so much that we will fall prey to
Terminator type killer robots, but more likely that we will be enveloped in a
gloopy sludge of exponentially self-reproducing nano-technology.
Avoiding that, we might live a very long time. The question
is, however, would we want to?
When you’re young, the prospect of living a long time seems
like a good idea. At 20 years of age, life stretches out on a seemingly endless
horizon of opportunity. By the time you hit 50, the body starts to get a little
creaky. The life that once lay up ahead now appears more in the rear view
mirror. We start thinking about retirement.
The problem with living a long time is that the prospects are
not for a slowed aging process; rather the prospect is for an extended period
of elderliness. Sure, it might be a bit more vital by comparison to typical old
age, but at 120 years of age you would have to take pills to accomplish even a
hint of what you were capable of doing at 20.
Imagine that sore back you picked up on the racquetball court
when you were 40 following you for the next hundred years. Imagine your
children themselves being in their 90’s. Who will have the energy to host the
Thanksgiving meal this year? The younger generations? Yeah, right.
“Oh that’s great-great-great grandma. Or is she great-great?
I forget – they all seem so much alike. Don’t get them started or you’ll never
hear the end of it – all that ancient history back in my day nonsense.”
New organs, new joints, probably a host of new relationships.
And who’s going to support all that dotage? No sir, you get your old carcass
out there and get to work.
Tomorrow I am conducting the funeral for a man who lived a
goodly number of years and whose last uttered words in this life were, “I love
you.” In dying, he seemed to know something about the meaning of living.
So I think I’ll stick to what God gives me, along with a
little healthy living and good luck. The point of life as God offers it is not
the quantity of years but the quality of our moments. Not what we accumulate,
but how genuinely we love.
Take Care – John Mann
Arun Gandhi (grandson of Mohandas) said we are to live as people whose life span will be 125. Does that make a difference in our todays? Give what you've said about extended elder years, maybe so?
Posted by: mary | February 08, 2009 at 12:09 PM