Longevity and Immortality - Is It Within Reach?

How long we live can depend on a number of factors, with genetics often being at the top of the list. Since 1900, the human life span has increased by thirty years. Consequentially, so has the increased likelihood of cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and dementia. In a study asking 'Do You Want To Live Forever' on on the topic of life and longevity, it was discovered that many asked say they’d only want another 100 years or less. It's now believed that scientists will be able to soon extend life well beyond 120, which is almost double of the current global life expectancy of about 67 years. In a recent report (2012) by the United Nations it states there were approximately 316,600 centenarians (people over the age of 100) in the world. With advancements in new medical technologies, that number could increase to over three million by 2050. A company by the name of Calico (owned by Google) has invested more than $730 million towards extending human lifespans, and with any luck, they'll come up with the “rejuvenation technologies” necessary to make this happen. Other organizations, like the Sens Foundation, Unity Biotechnology and the Human Longevity Institute, are also racing to buy us time. Whether we ever unlock the key to longevity remains to be seen, but I'm confident it will help to uncover cures and treatments for a variety of illnesses in the process. But to truly live forever might rely on a concept that futurist Ray Kurzweil conceived called Singularity, the idea that humans will merge with A.I. and transcend our biological limitations. In the end, who wouldn't like death to be an option? Only time will tell. For more on the subject, there are some fascinating papers also found here.