the primary challenge of these advancements lies in integrating these technologies into our societal framework without exacerbating inequality, concentrating power among a few, or risking overpopulation.
Quite directly, this smells a lot like bullshit. Those concerns will stop exactly zero billionaires from extending their lives if it's effective and has no side-effectives. And it won't take very long for visible success in billionaires to move it down to thousands then millions of users. Once the cat's really out of the bag, it will be unstoppable.
Those may be valid concerns for the future of humanity, but they're not blockers to adoption of the technology.
Which means, to me, that you're FAR overstating how far the current results are from working in existing humans.
The premise of this article seems to be that drugs that can increase lifespan indefinitely exist but all of the studies you cite are in yeast or mice, and I suspect they're all looking at endpoints that don't actually map to living forever with no side effects (like making some marker look better without increasing lifespan, or dying of cancer instead of some other aging-related cause of death).
The societal concerns also seem overblown and straightforward to solve in market economies. We get new drugs all the time and they don't cause a collapse of society, even though a lot of people don't understand that drug research costs money; and if no one wants to do menial labor, we'll just have to pay more until someone does (or use robots for that).
I have attempted to provide useful studies, but the main premise /is/ that the medications exist and also that we should think long and hard about how to impliment solutions that enable us to use them. For example there is a black market trade in Everolimus for life-extension. The arguments that the rich would use these drugs is fair, but why do you assume we would notice until they have a monopoly, they haven't been available for more than a decade really. I couldn't find the source so I didnt want to include it, but for example i remember seeing that Joe Biden was treated with Rapamycin for Covid.
The quotes by David Sinclair from the Star Talk Posdcast where he says his students are comfortable dialing up and down the age of mice, and that its working in dogs and monkeys too, that he's working on putting it in pill form. They all suggest a reason for the rest of content of this article to be discussed. I'm guessing that relying on there being a paper might not be the best way to prepare, because given infomation wars they may not ever be published. I'm hoping that it will be discussed, because otherwise many people may die needlessly, because everyone waited until it was a sensation, and there will be too much desperation and war or collapse because of the percieved inequality.
The existance of AI Drug Discovery and Quantum Molecular Modelling, will probably mean there is a solution sooner rather than later and we forget often about the exponential nature of recent science. I'm open for suggestions on how to edit the article.
I couldn't find the source so I didnt want to include it, but for example i remember seeing that Joe Biden was treated with Rapamycin for Covid.
Rapamycin costs $35 https://www.goodrx.com/sirolimus
“I know that technologies to make us live indefinitely exist, but who would want to live THAT long?”
While the concept of living indefinitely might sound like science fiction, advancements in medical science are rapidly turning it into a scientifically accepted reality.
The quest for longevity has taken many forms and persisted for millennia, from age-old practices like animal sacrifice, fasting, and cold exposure to potentially modern interventions like White Willow PE21 Extract and young blood transfusions. But recently...
“Life extension is a myth and no one can live forever!”
Drugs like Rapamycin and Everolimus have shown promising results in extending lifespan in animals by up to 440%. There is already a thriving back market with prices for a month's supply of Everolimus at life extending doses reaching over $16,000. However, the most groundbreaking development is undoubtedly CRISPR-dCas9 Genome Editing and the Discovery of three genetic signals known as the yamanaka factors, hold the potential to revolutionise human ageing by resetting the biological clock, any amount, as many times as wanted.
"Well, given that it's working in dogs and in mice, it's probably going to work in people, I would imagine. It's working in monkeys as well.” - David Sinclar (StarTalk Podcast, Season 15 Episode 18, March 22, 2024)
According to lead researchers at Harvard, CRISPR-dCas9 Editing for resetting age already works in mice, dogs and monkeys, and has a very high chance of working in humans. But why haven't we all heard?
As we stand on the brink of these remarkable advancements, a critical question arises: Can society sustain such a profound shift and its effects on population, or will only a privileged few reap the benefits? Concerns about secretive groups controlling society arise, but will access to life extension technologies actually be limited?
“Having perfected methods of living forever, they realised; not everyone is able to take these treatments, or we risk all dying from mass overpopulation of earth. The simple answer to this problem was to let the bulk of humanity live and die unaware while manipulating them from the shadows, like cattle.”
In this post, I will explore the technologies behind life extension that I have heard of, and the societal implications of indefinite lifespans. I will highlight the ethical dilemmas we must navigate to ensure these advancements benefit all of humanity and I will express the extent of my workings on what we would have to do in order to make it possible for everyone to know about, or use, these technologies. So that everyone gets a fair chance of accepting the treatments.
Intermittent fasting has been shown to improve cellular repair processes and reduce markers of ageing. Fasting has been shown to reduce the risk of various diseases, including cancer, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. It can also enhance mental clarity and energy levels, contributing to its widespread practice for improved health and longevity.
Spending time in cold environments can boost longevity by activating beneficial stress responses in the body. The main idea is that cold exposure (e.g. using an ice bath) has a profound effect on cellular metabolism and that it is a mechanism of life extension.
Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, White Willow Extract has been linked to improved healthspan. “[It] slows chronological ageing and prolongs longevity of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae more efficiently than any of the previously known pharmacological interventions.”
Transfusing young blood into older individuals has demonstrated rejuvenating effects in animal studies. Ambrosia, a California-based startup, has been selling transfusions of blood from 16-25 year-olds since 2016, aiming to provide age-related benefits to affluent clients who pay up to $12,000 for a two-liter transfusion.
These drugs have extended lifespans in yeast and mice. Everolimus, already approved for treating tuberculosis and breast cancer, has shown potential in significantly delaying ageing in mice (up to 440% lifespan extension). In fact there is already a black market for purchasing these drugs. Everolimus, the most effective drug, can cost up to $16,000 for a month’s supply at longevity doses. Rapamycin and everolimus were developed from byproducts of the Streptomyces Hygroscopicus Bacteria discovered near the huge heads on Easter Island.
“In doing so, NMN and other vitality molecules, including metformin and rapamycin, reduce the buildup of informational noise that causes aging, thus restoring the program.” - David Sinclair (Lifespan: Why We Age—and Why We Don't Have To p137)
“We had come because rapamycin had been demonstrated to do something that no other drug had ever done before: extend maximum lifespan in a mammal.” Peter Attia (Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity)
CRISPR-Cas9 allows for precise editing of the genome, already offering a precise way to reset genetic factors of ageing, effectively resetting it to any chosen age, using copies of genetic information found in the DNA of every cell in the body. There have not been any definitive peer reviewed papers confirming that this treatment can be used, yet, but expressions of how it's being done have reached the public sphere from top scholars and studies suggest it could significantly extend human lifespan by resetting the biological clock 70% as many times as needed. There’s a reason it is only used to reset age by 70% and that is because if you reset your age 100% you would become a foetus again.
David Sinclar is a professor at Harvard and MIT and runs the Sinclar Lab at Harvard where they routinely perform CRISPR-Cas9 Genome Editing on mice, publicly known to do things like cure blindness. Word is starting to get out about other uses for the specific effects of their genome editing techniques.
"Oh, my students in the lab are quite comfortable dialling up and dialling down the age of mice.” - David Sinclar (StarTalk Podcast, Season 15 Episode 18, March 22, 2024)
“And when we turn these genes on again in the adult animal, whether it be a mouse or a monkey, they rejuvenate.” - David Sinclar (StarTalk Podcast, Season 15 Episode 18, March 22, 2024)
"Well, given that it's working in dogs and in mice, it's probably going to work in people, I would imagine. It's working in monkeys as well.” - David Sinclar (StarTalk Podcast, Season 15 Episode 18, March 22, 2024)
“In this study, we demonstrate that heart-specific expression of Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc (OSKM) induces adult CMs to dedifferentiate, conferring regenerative capacity to adult hearts.” - Yanpu Chen et al., Reversible reprogramming of cardiomyocytes to a fetal state drives heart regeneration in mice. Science 373, 1537-1540 (2021). DOI:10.1126/science.abg515
Despite these promising advancements, the primary challenge of these advancements lies in integrating these technologies into our societal framework without exacerbating inequality, concentrating power among a few, or risking overpopulation. While some concerns may be valid, the primary risk lies in the potential for secrecy and control by individuals who have gained knowledge through extended lifespans.
But it's certainly possible to introduce and live with some people living much longer world wide if we can overcome certain implications such as The perception that ageing is not not a diagnosable disease, overpopulation, climate change and climate migration, the wider perception of fairness and personal security.
A potential framework that could support people and give them the choice to accept these treatments, without breaking in the above scenarios, and while maintaining openness, is detailed later in the document.
This study shows that transcriptional activation of endogenous Oct4 using the CRISPR/dCas9 activator system is sufficient for cellular rejuvenation and extending the lifespan of a progeria mouse model. The study highlights the use of CRISPR/dCas9 to transiently express Oct4, which restores age-related epigenetic patterns, suppresses mutant progerin expression, and reduces vascular pathological features associated with progeria. This approach reduces the oncogenic risks associated with the use of c-Myc in the traditional OSKM (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, c-Myc) overexpression method.
This study provides a promising direction for safe and effective age-related treatments using CRISPR-Cas9 mediated gene activation of specific rejuvenation genes like Oct4, Sox2, and Klf4.
DOI: 10.1111/acel.13825
This study by Kim et al. (2023) demonstrates that activating endogenous Oct4 using the CRISPR/dCas9 system can efficiently reduce ageing symptoms in a mouse model of Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS). The activation led to significant epigenetic remodelling, suppression of progerin accumulation, and improvement in vascular health, ultimately extending the lifespan of the mice.
Doctors are not yet allowed to prescribe for at all, despite ageing being a health developing condition that you can lose your life from. This is perhaps because there is such a long history of people attempting to live forever, the notion that ageing is not a disease but a fact of life is very well established, and people react with strong feelings when you challenge this idea by putting forward research, requesting more proof and refusing to accept the peer reviewed proof provided is legitimate.
Historically, medical advancements have often led to population booms and significant societal shifts. We must learn from these historical patterns to navigate the future effectively. As medicine and quality of life has improved, people have lived longer and longer, to significantly older ages already, only plateauing very recently. This has caused population numbers to skyrocket, and we are burning through extra resources much faster to support the expanded population.
The natural human inclination to reproduce, with the potential for indefinite lifespans, could lead to significant population growth. Reproduction will need to be policed and licensed among treated parties, in an effective way. Issues like these are very difficult to police because access to intimate moments is often regarded with fear by those who suspect people will misuse their data. Because people suspect something bad will happen to them if others knew what they were up to.
Imagine a world where lifespans start to extend to 150 years plus given technology that people can already access today if they have the cash. How would our cities, economies, and social structures adapt to this new reality?
The changing climate will increasingly strain our existing systems and the regions capable of supporting plant growth. As biodiversity faces further threats, we risk losing entire ecosystems crucial for life support. This could lead to the extinction of pollinators essential for crop production, potentially making millennia-old crops unsustainable.
The personal security of those with extended lifespans could be at risk in a world where not everyone has access to life extension. While legal protections may exist, individuals who have undergone treatment could become targets for those seeking access to the technology or who are attempting to provide a black market for it, especially if their longevity is apparent. Additionally, despite potential healing benefits, these individuals remain vulnerable to physical harm.
It's fairly clear that if people lived longer the population would increase quickly, as it did during the lifespan increases of the industrial revolution, however, it would never even out or plateau. We would need to make sure to restrict the reproductive activity of those who accepted the treatments, which is a very sensitive area because of the historic activities of countries like China, with their “One Child Policy”.
To mitigate these risks, we need to develop ethical frameworks and policies that ensure equitable access to life extension technologies while addressing potential overpopulation.
To address the potential challenges posed by widespread access to life extension technologies, we need to develop and implement comprehensive solutions that ensure equitable access and manage societal impacts responsibly.
We must prioritise equitable access to life extension technologies, ensuring that these advancements do not become the exclusive privilege of the wealthy or those likely to exploit the population. This might require international agreements and regulations that mandate fair distribution. Essentially, this system would operate as a charitable business with a multinational opt-in presence, adhering to mostly pre-existing laws.
The proposed organization should foster international collaboration to share research, technology, and resources, aiming to reduce disparities between nations. However, it must retain control over life extension treatments, ensuring they are accessible only to individuals who comply with established policies.
The people in charge of the organisation should be skilled but they should be elected before starting a position of leadership in the business, and they should be able to be removed by a vote as well.
Opt-In System
Create an opt-in framework where individuals can choose to participate in an extra-legal system that can provide life extension programs at cost as well as many other benefits. This system would acknowledge that not everyone may want or be able to undergo such treatments. Those who do not wish to participate in the treatment can still participate in the system taking advantage of the benefits or they can continue under the current laws and guidelines. This system exists on top of the current system.
Work and Basic Income
Participants can contribute to the system's collective businesses or pay for treatments. The non-profit organization will ensure equitable distribution of resources and may offer additional benefits like AI-enabled education and a basic income for life necessities. This system could foster a fairer work environment with distributed opportunities, allowing individuals to earn additional rewards without relying solely on traditional monetary compensation.
Supports Itself
The system could serve as an incubator for numerous projects enabled by the level of access it supports. Profits generated will be used charitably, with a clear vision for shared goals of all humans.
Informed Decisions
Launch education campaigns to help people understand the implications of existing life extension treatments and help them make informed decisions about them and opting in when the time comes. These campaigns should address the ethical, societal, and personal aspects of life extension.
Mainstream News Focus
Widespread media coverage is crucial to prevent monopolization of life extension technologies.
Population control is widely regarded in the west as the stuff of nightmares, but it would not be the first time such a system has been implemented, there was a famous “One Child Policy” to combat overpopulation implemented in china from 1980-2016, which overall was successful in avoiding disaster from excess resource usage. There is a need to reflect that people want their children to have children and integrate psychological coping mechanisms such as access to licences to reproduce even if you have had the treatments.
Birth Quotas Among Those Who Live Indefinitely
Implementing birth quotas among those who have undergone life extension treatments could help manage population growth sustainably. This system would need careful regulation to avoid ethical issues and ensure fairness. The quotas would start based on a decision to not have children or to opt into life extension at the age of sexual maturity, this is to avoid people attempting to have children and then opt into the system, which would still increase population.
Once you have had the treatment you would be required to have a licence to reproduce, there is no way to opt out of this for the duration of the treatment, and there would be no ability to get the treatment again if you opt out.
Incentives for Voluntary Childlessness
Offering incentives to individuals who choose not to have children can help control population growth without imposing mandatory restrictions, providing the possibility for licences among those who have opted into life extension.
Encouraging Gay Rights
This can also be considered controversial in some countries, but many people would choose to be gay if there was complete acceptance. Encouraging natural desires can help to improve the gene pool in a natural way.
Opt-In Surveillance Framework
For effective policing and regulation, individuals who opt into the system must agree to comprehensive digital surveillance. This includes mandatory access to all digital devices and data transparency within the system, even involving monitoring for those who avoid carrying their phone.
Enhanced Honesty and Transparency
Algorithms can enhance communication by ensuring the clear and honest expression of truth and intentions in what people say, fostering a society built on trust and transparency.
Data Access and Security
All data within the system should be accessible to anyone who has opted in, perhaps regulated by a licensing system similar to a driving licence. Mechanisms to track and regulate data access are to be put in place to prevent misuse of data and protections for individuals. Individuals can see who has accessed their data and challenge any inappropriate use.
Greater Acceptance
People would become more aware of a wide array of human activities and this would foster greater acceptance of natural human behaviours leading to greater acceptance.
Opt-Out Flexibility
Individuals can choose to opt out of the system at any time, foregoing non-permanent treatments and returning to the existing societal framework. This ensures that participation remains voluntary and respects personal autonomy.
Whenever the topics of restriction on reproduction or surveillance systems come up there is often an extreme kickback from many communities. People often see it as a challenge to their wish to continue activities that they think are illegal or immoral, there will be a greater need to understand these activities as just part of human nature in general. The opt-in nature of the proposed system still leaves some exceptionally triggering things to overcome, the following is what we should do about it.
Public Engagement
Engage with the public to address fears and resistance to life extension technologies. Open forums, discussions, and transparent communication can help mitigate psychological and cultural barriers, emphasising the system's opt-in nature and the significant benefits for humanity.
Respect for Diversity
Recognize and respect cultural differences in attitudes towards ageing and life extension. Tailor education and engagement efforts to different cultural contexts to ensure broader acceptance, acknowledging beliefs that some people hold about not wanting to live longer.
By implementing these solutions, we can create a societal framework that manages the broader impact of life extension technologies, ensuring that the benefits are shared equitably while addressing potential challenges such as overpopulation and inequality.
Many people instinctively resist radical changes, particularly those that challenge deeply held beliefs about life and death. Addressing these fears through transparent communication and public engagement is crucial.
Life extension research has been associated with unethical practices in the past, leading to public distrust. To counteract this, we must emphasise the ethical frameworks and rigorous oversight governing current research. Highlighting success stories and reputable endorsements can also help build trust.
Concerns about witnessing friends and loved ones die while one continues to live can significantly affect social dynamics. It’s essential to provide support systems and mental health resources to help individuals cope with these changes. Fostering community programs that integrate life extension participants with the broader society can mitigate feelings of isolation.
Many religions teach that the afterlife is preferable to earthly existence, leading some to reject life extension technologies. Addressing this requires respectful dialogue with religious leaders and communities to find common ground. Emphasising that life extension can be seen as a way to fulfil one’s potential and contribute positively to society might align with some religious values.
Building consensus on ethical and practical approaches requires overcoming significant cultural barriers. Education campaigns tailored to different cultural contexts can help in presenting life extension as a universally beneficial advancement rather than a threat to traditional values.
Life extension might lead to a shift in the job market, with fewer people willing to perform menial jobs. To prepare, we need to focus on retraining and education programs that enable people to transition to more fulfilling and long-term distributed careers, working wherever they are, wherever it is useful, supported by the digital access and modelling of skills. We should be all doing our fair share of the menial work. Businesses can adapt by investing in automation and AI to handle tasks that may no longer attract human workers.
This document counters the notion that only the wealthy can access treatments by proposing a charitable business model that operates on a multinational scale on top of existing laws. Ensuring treatments are affordable and widely available is crucial for preventing societal divides.
As life extension becomes more accepted, there could be significant changes in social dynamics. People who undergo treatments might form elite groups, potentially leading to conflict with those who do not. To prevent this, fostering inclusive communities, common goals, and promoting understanding and cooperation between different groups is essential.
There is potential for unrest if demand for life extension treatments exceeds supply. Given the practice we have had during the covid pandemic, implementing a fair and transparent system for distributing treatments is possible to help manage expectations and reduce conflicts.
While life extension technologies offer immense potential, it's crucial to acknowledge and address potential unforeseen consequences. The introduction of extended lifespans could significantly impact the job market, potentially leading to increased competition for younger generations as older individuals remain in the workforce longer. Additionally, existing retirement and pension systems may need to be restructured to accommodate a population with significantly longer lifespans.
The proposed AI-enabled social microtask platform aims to mitigate some of these challenges by creating a dynamic and adaptable job market. By facilitating instant job matching based on skills and interests, the platform could help individuals find meaningful work throughout their extended lives. The AI-controlled self-minted currency and payment system could also contribute to a fairer distribution of wealth, ensuring that everyone's contributions are valued and rewarded.
However, it's essential to remain vigilant and adaptable as these technologies are implemented. Ongoing research and open dialogue will be crucial to identify and address any unforeseen challenges that may arise, ensuring that the benefits of life extension are shared equitably and sustainably across society.
Open forums, discussions, and transparent communication can help address fears and resistance. Regular updates from trusted sources about the progress and implications of life extension technologies can demystify the process and build public trust and awareness.
Mainstream news coverage is essential to ensure that the knowledge of life extension technologies is widespread. This can prevent a select few from monopolising the information and optimising it solely for their purposes. Educational campaigns should address ethical, societal, and personal aspects of life extension to help people make informed decisions.
Governments need to recognize that many current rules were established in eras with vastly different technological capabilities. As we reach a point of exponential progression, adapting laws and policies to reflect these advancements is crucial.
This paper proposes a regulatory framework that includes digital surveillance and opt-in reproduction restrictions to manage the societal impacts of life extension. Ensuring these measures are transparent, ethical, and respectful of personal autonomy and this will be key to gaining public acceptance.
By addressing psychological and cultural resistance through respectful dialogue, transparent communication, and inclusive policies, we can pave the way for the ethical and equitable adoption of life extension technologies. The potential benefits of extended lifespans are too significant to ignore, and with careful management, we can navigate the challenges to create a society where these advancements are accessible to all. Yet, the potential benefits of extended lifespans are too significant to ignore.
Longer lifespans offer numerous potential benefits that could transform individual lives and society as a whole. By allowing people to develop and master skills over extended periods, we can expect significant advancements in various disciplines and societal progress.
With longer lifespans, individuals can retain and build upon their skills without the need for retraining every generation. This continuity leads to a higher level of expertise and innovation across the population.
Practically every field that requires training stands to benefit. Disciplines like space travel and highly technical fields, which require extensive training, would particularly benefit from having experienced professionals contribute over extended periods.
The complexity of speech and communication may evolve among those who have undergone life extension treatments, as they accumulate more context and experience over their lifetimes.
Extended lifespans mean that the workforce can maintain higher standards of work, as individuals won’t need to spend as much time on basic training. More people would be capable of stepping into various types of work on as part of a distributed system, contributing to economic and societal productivity.
With more experienced individuals contributing for longer periods, we could see rapid progress in addressing global challenges such as space travel, climate change, poverty, and disease. For instance, seasoned scientists could continue their research for centuries, leading to breakthroughs that might not be possible within the current human lifespan.
Technologies for sustainable housing, such as nuclear-powered floating cities and local aquaponic food production, could help accommodate a growing population. As we develop these solutions, rules around reproduction can be temporarily relaxed to balance population growth with available resources.
In the long run, space colonies might offer additional solutions for managing population growth, enabling humanity to expand beyond Earth while maintaining sustainable living conditions.
The ethics of relationships and attraction will need careful consideration, as people with extended lifespans might find a smaller pool of peers their age. Developing social norms and rules to navigate these changes will be essential.
It's crucial for society to acknowledge that life extension is already a reality. However, people may be reluctant to accept this due to concerns about overpopulation and societal collapse. Transparent communication and planning, along with the techniques in this document can help mitigate these fears.
One of the major risks of life extension is the formation of an elite group with access to treatments. This risk stems from the potential for those who have undergone treatments to have more in common with each other than with those who haven't. To prevent social divisions, it's important to develop a framework that ensures equitable access and integration of life extension technologies. Because committing to not having children allows a one to one exchange of people alive, anyone alive at any time in the future will get the chance to access the resources.
While it is essential to address legal issues, the process of integrating life extension into society will occur over many years. There is no need to solve every potential problem before introducing the idea that life extension is possible. Gradual implementation, with ongoing adjustments and ethical considerations, can help society adapt to this new reality.
By embracing the potential benefits of longer lifespans and addressing the associated challenges, we can create a society where life extension contributes positively to individual fulfilment and collective advancement. However, we must also be mindful of the risks associated with a potentially powerful elite.
Historical accounts often feature characters who lived far beyond the modern human lifespan. For instance, Moses is said to have lived to 180 years, along with other biblical figures who reportedly enjoyed similarly long lives. These stories reflect ancient beliefs about longevity and the quest to overcome ageing, even if the general population had limited knowledge of the science behind it. Select individuals may have had access to life-extending knowledge passed down through generations of experimentation.
In mediaeval times, alchemists and scholars searched for the elixir of life, reflecting humanity's long-standing desire to prevent death. Alchemists, in particular, were famously in pursuit of tools to achieve infinite life and transform base metals into gold. From witch doctors to court physicians serving in castles, the effort to prolong life has been a persistent theme throughout history.
Historical elites likely maintained better nutrition and healthcare compared to the general population, which could have contributed to longer lifespans. Early forms of treatments, such as herbal remedies and specialised diets, may have offered some life-extending benefits. These practices hint at an early understanding of health and longevity, even if rudimentary by today's standards.
A fascinating connection to modern life extension research is the discovery of Streptomyces Hygroscopicus, a bacterium first isolated from a soil sample collected on Rapa Nui, commonly known as Easter Island, in 1972 by Surendra Nath Sehgal and colleagues. This bacterium is the source of rapamycin, a drug known for its potential life-extending properties. The mysterious presence of this bacterium on Easter Island raises intriguing questions about ancient knowledge and practices. It is speculated that Easter Island might have been home to ancient scholars who were aware of the bacterium’s properties.
The history of humanity's quest to extend life teaches us that this has always been an aspirational goal, even though indefinite life extension was not possible until recent advancements in genetic science. For instance, current technologies like CRISPR-Cas9 allow us to reset the genome in ways previously unimaginable.
As we stand on the verge of a new era in human longevity, we must carefully consider the societal, ethical, and practical implications of these advancements. Historical perspectives remind us that the desire to extend life has deep roots, but they also highlight the challenges and limitations faced by previous generations. By learning from the past and planning for the future, we can ensure that the benefits of life extension are shared equitably and sustainably. It’s crucial to acknowledge the potential risks and develop frameworks to manage them, so that the goal of prolonged life enhances human experience rather than detracting from it.
The prospect of life extension is both exciting and challenging. We must develop a legal framework that navigates the complexities of this new frontier without destabilising society. Our goal should be to ensure that the pursuit of longer life benefits all of humanity, not just a privileged few.
I invite you to join the discussion and share your thoughts on how we can best achieve this balance and to share the story of CRISPR-Cas9 Genome Editing to as many people as possible to provoke the changes needed to make sure that many paranoias do not become a real part of history.