Exploring the desire to live forever.
Highlights:
- The quest for immortality has existed throughout history and is intertwined with philosophical reflections and beliefs.
- The anti-aging movement aims to treat aging as a disease and prolong health, but ethical concerns and age-based discrimination arise.
- Different species have varying aging patterns, with genetic factors like the CDKN2C gene in whales and the FOXO3 gene in humans contributing to longevity.
- Beyond genetics, lifestyle factors such as managing stress, sleep, diet, exercise, and not smoking influence well-being and longevity.
- While research on biological changes and drugs to extend life expectancy is ongoing, controversial studies and the lack of scientific evidence for certain supplements highlight longevity’s challenges and debates. Instead, the focus should be on seeking a healthy, fulfilling, and meaningful life.
Since ancient times, the quest for immortality has been a recurring theme in various cultures and religions. Even the Epic of Gilgamesh, one of humanity’s oldest literary works, explores this desire to live forever. Nowadays, scientific research on the quest for an “anti-aging” cure intertwines with these beliefs and philosophical reflections, such as accepting the natural passage of time. However, does human life have a limit, and should we be obsessed with pursuing immortality, or should we focus on enriching the quality of our existence?
The question raises an interesting dilemma. The anti-aging movement is one of the areas seeking to provide an answer. On the one hand, it aims to find and treat the causes of aging, understanding it as a disease. On the other hand, it also seeks to prolong health. Treating aging as a disease can have positive implications, such as finding cures for specific conditions or helping increase the time we live in good health. However, there are ethical concerns and the possibility of age-based discrimination.
In this context, it is essential to note that aging patterns differ from species to species. For example, Greenland whales are considered the longest-lived mammals, with the ability to live up to 200 years, compared to the current record of 122 years for humans. In whales, a key factor contributing to their longevity is the CDKN2C gene. On the other hand, in humans, the FOXO3 gene has been associated with increased life expectancy. These discoveries provide genetic approaches to address aging.
Nevertheless, aging is a process influenced by various variables beyond genetics, such as environment and lifestyle. According to Passarino and colleagues, genetics accounts for about 25% of the variability in human longevity, demonstrating that genetics is not everything. Lifestyle factors influence our well-being and longevity, such as learning to manage stress, getting enough sleep, eating healthily, not smoking, and exercising.
Ultimately, the true goal of life is to find happiness, isn’t it?
Furthermore, in medicine, research is being conducted on biological changes to discover new drugs or repurpose existing ones to extend life expectancy. However, it is crucial to recognize that the results of various controversial studies are still being debated, leading to the development of dietary supplements, such as those that activate telomerase, which promises to improve life expectancy but lack scientific evidence.
While some argue that extending human life has benefited by giving us more time to enjoy, achieve goals, and contribute to society, longevity poses challenges. These include socio-economic, medical, occupational, familial, ethical, and moral issues. So, instead of obsessing over the idea of living forever, the key may lie in seeking a healthy, fulfilling, and meaningful life, finding happiness and a purpose that motivates us. Ultimately, the true goal of life is to find happiness, isn’t it?
