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A biomedical gerontologist and chief scientist of a foundation dedicated to longevity research, de Grey believes that the first person who will live to see their 150th birthday has already been born. As of now, the oldest person on record was a Japanese woman who lived to be 122. Obviously, life expectancies continue to get longer as more discoveries and breakthroughs are made in the world of medicine and science. Regardless of whether or not de Grey's predictions come true, (he also believes that man will someday live to be 1,000 years old and longer), but it's interesting to contemplate the idea of living for hundreds of years. It is important to realize that de Grey's beliefs lie in the fact that people will maintain a higher quality of health overall. When the topic is brought up, most people's first impression is that they will continue to age as they do now, and they imagine themselves alive, but bed ridden for a hundred years. Obviously, no one wants that. However, with more cures being discovered and cell replacement research underway, de Grey feels that the effects of old age can be eliminated, allowing a person to remain active, feel good and even look good forever. Obviously, this belief is controversial on many levels and brings up a myriad of questions, such as the planet's ability to sustain such life. There are also the many religious beliefs in which death is a part of spiritual growth and/or salvation and reward. Once you start thinking about it, it becomes more complex and the answer isn't so easy. So, do you want to live forever?
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| Last Updated on Tuesday, 22 November 2011 15:58 |
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For the most part, no one wants to die. However, does anyone want to live forever? Man, like all living creatures, has a deep, strong instinct to survive. He also has an added fear/dislike of getting older. That on-going search for “the fountain of youth” can be seen in the thousands of products and treatments that promise a younger looking/younger feeling you. Most people realize that these claims are false, but succumb to them anyway with the hope, that just maybe they can turn back the hands of time. Then there are some people, like Aubrey de Grey, who feel they can "cure" old age altogether.
The holidays are upon us! Young or old, 'tis the season to celebrate with family and friends. Unless you are still a kid and all you have to do is be good and wait for Santa, the holiday season can be exhausting and stressful for the jolliest of folk. If you happen to be one of the 50 million Americans who care for an elderly family member or a friend, the stress can be overwhelming, especially in cases that involve Alzheimer's disease. The fact that Alzheimer's destroys the memory makes it even more difficult during the holidays when so much emphasis is put on the past and family traditions. Grandchildren may be hurt when grandma doesn’t recognize them or forgets their name. Even for adults, facing their parents’ mortality during a time of celebration can be very painful. However, by adjusting some routines and rituals, the holidays can still be a time for family and friends to gather and enjoy themselves. The Mayo Clinic has offered several tips to accomplishing this and making your home safer for your loved one.