Post by thomasallencummins on Jun 25, 2017 8:25:58 GMT -5
Suppose at some point its possible that, through genetic manipulation, a person's DNA can be altered to such an extent that the aging process is completely halted. I've read news stories where researchers speculate that this is theoretically possible after some rather herculean obstacles have been dealt with.
What if through said manipulation, gradually over the course of say a year or more, one is transformed to a state of appearance and health that is analogous to a natural person of only 25 years of age...permanently?
So long as certain physical requirements are routinely met and no destructive malady or calamity occurs one would become effectively immortal.
If you are a spiritual person would this be troubling to you?
Such scenarios have been explored in fiction where an elderly couple is granted eternal youth but one partner refuses because they believe it is an affront to God or at least a perverting of the natural order.
If 20 years from now a breakthrough in this theoretical process is a reality would you take advantage of it if it were offered?
I think most people would consider it as we are all driven by an innate compulsion toward continued physical existence.
But there would undoubtedly be some who consider the impact on the world at large and be concerned about overpopulation and the increase in the consumption of resources over time. What form would birth control take in such a scenario?
Perhaps the ethical questions relating to the fact that, at least at first, many people would not be able to afford the process thus widening the culture divide between the haves and have-nots.
Certainly billionaires and heads of state would be the first people to become immortals followed by celebrities and captains of industry.
The truth is, at first, there won't be many, if any, impoverished immortals and because of that some will reject immortality because they feel that as long as there are some people that are excluded they in good conscience cannot participate.
The social anarchy that could erupt from this scenario might be horrifying.
Anyone that has not been processed might be considered temporary humans by comparison and treated accordingly.
Potentially, over a protracted period of time, the immortal society could stabilize and find its footing creating a new culture free of natural death.
Certainly a long lived or immortal human could exist long enough to possibly travel between solar systems and return to a world that would potentially still be inhabited by their loved ones.
I find the notion of ageless humans interesting but I can't consider it without feeling as though there is a dark cloud of gloom surrounding the idea that replaces at least some of the wonder with dread.
What if through said manipulation, gradually over the course of say a year or more, one is transformed to a state of appearance and health that is analogous to a natural person of only 25 years of age...permanently?
So long as certain physical requirements are routinely met and no destructive malady or calamity occurs one would become effectively immortal.
If you are a spiritual person would this be troubling to you?
Such scenarios have been explored in fiction where an elderly couple is granted eternal youth but one partner refuses because they believe it is an affront to God or at least a perverting of the natural order.
If 20 years from now a breakthrough in this theoretical process is a reality would you take advantage of it if it were offered?
I think most people would consider it as we are all driven by an innate compulsion toward continued physical existence.
But there would undoubtedly be some who consider the impact on the world at large and be concerned about overpopulation and the increase in the consumption of resources over time. What form would birth control take in such a scenario?
Perhaps the ethical questions relating to the fact that, at least at first, many people would not be able to afford the process thus widening the culture divide between the haves and have-nots.
Certainly billionaires and heads of state would be the first people to become immortals followed by celebrities and captains of industry.
The truth is, at first, there won't be many, if any, impoverished immortals and because of that some will reject immortality because they feel that as long as there are some people that are excluded they in good conscience cannot participate.
The social anarchy that could erupt from this scenario might be horrifying.
Anyone that has not been processed might be considered temporary humans by comparison and treated accordingly.
Potentially, over a protracted period of time, the immortal society could stabilize and find its footing creating a new culture free of natural death.
Certainly a long lived or immortal human could exist long enough to possibly travel between solar systems and return to a world that would potentially still be inhabited by their loved ones.
I find the notion of ageless humans interesting but I can't consider it without feeling as though there is a dark cloud of gloom surrounding the idea that replaces at least some of the wonder with dread.
