Is aging an inevitable fate or a curable disease? For Jose Luis Cordeiro, futurist and co-author of the book “The Death of Death”, the answer is clear yet shocking: humanity is on the threshold of biological immortality thanks to exponential progress in technology. In a bold prediction, Cordeiro argues that by 2045, aging could become a treatable condition and death could become optional for those who live long enough to benefit from rejuvenation therapies. A crazy (or perhaps "just" very optimistic) vision based on two factors. First, existence in nature of immortal cells and organisms. Second, the convergence of exponential technologies such as artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, biotechnology and cognitive science.
Immortals: from science fiction to reality?
The idea of living forever has fascinated humanity since ancient times, from the legends of Gilgamesh to the search for the mythical fountain of youth. But if for millennia immortality was just a dream, today, according to Cordeiro, it is about to become a scientific reality. Thanks to rapid progress in fields such as tissue regeneration, stem therapies, organ printing and genetic therapies, which promise to revolutionize the way we approach aging.
Of course, one could argue that aging is a natural process, an integral part of evolution. But Cordeiro doesn't agree: if science has already allowed us to overcome many evolutionary defects, from diseases to deteriorating eyesight, why shouldn't we be able to defeat old age too? After all, if there are practically immortal organisms in nature, which do not age or even become young again (like some species of jellyfish), perhaps the secret of eternal youth is already written in the book of life. You just need to know how to read it.
A question of ethics
Even if biological immortality is possible, is it really desirable? Here we enter the field of ethics, and opinions are divided. There are those who see the end of aging a great opportunity for humanity, a way to free ourselves from the greatest cause of suffering and death in the world. And there are those who fear instead an endless life can lead to a loss of meaning and motivation, or to a society divided between immortals and mortals.
Cordeiro, as a good transhumanist, has no doubts: for him, fighting aging is a moral imperative. If we have the means to avoid suffering, he argues, we also have a duty to do so. And it matters little if this means challenging the natural order of things: after all, nature also gave us the brain to transcend it.
Get ready to live forever (or almost): "immortal for life"
Utopia or dystopia (or protopia, the thing I care most about), it must be said: research on aging is progressing at unprecedented rates. If Cordeiro is right, sooner or later we may find ourselves living in a world where old age is just a memory and death a choice. A world in which we can celebrate our five hundredth birthday with the same energy and vitality as in our thirties. A world where the only limit to our existence will be our imagination.
Science fiction? Perhaps. But with a hint of irony, one wonders: what if it were true? Are you ready to live forever? Better start planning that trip to Mars you've always dreamed of, or that rock painting course you've been putting off for centuries. Time is no longer an excuse, and it will take the most open minds a long time before they get bored.
Learn More
If Cordeiro's vision has intrigued you and you want to delve deeper into the topic of longevity, here are some reliable resources to start with. “Ageless: The New Science of Getting Older Without Getting Old” by Andrew Steele offers an accessible overview of the biology of aging and the latest scientific developments in biogerontology. For the more adventurous, “The Biology of Human Longevity” by Caleb E. Finch is a comprehensive text on the mechanisms of aging and the evolutionary forces that have shaped the human lifespan.
If you prefer the web, the site Lifespan.io is a treasure trove of articles, interviews and resources on the science of aging and rejuvenating biotechnology. And if you want a lighter approach, the YouTube channel Life noggin explains the science of aging in a fun and accessible way for everyone.
In short, whether you are skeptical or enthusiastic, aging and longevity are issues that concern us all. Curiosity and interest are the two truly immortal things at the moment. Perhaps by exploring these resources you will discover the secret to living happily ever after until you are 120 and beyond. In the end, you will learn some scientific curiosities with which to amaze your friends at the next party. As long as parties still exist in the world of Cordeiro's immortals.
