| THIS IS A READ-ONLY ARCHIVE FROM THE SORABJI.COM MESSAGE BOARDS (1995-2016). |
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A pill which scientists claim could increase average life expectancy to 120 years is to be tested in Scotland. Steve Parkinson, the Scottish-born president of US pharmaceutical giants CereMedix, revealed the drug is set to be trialled there. Its creators say the drug will slow down the signs of ageing by repairing and restoring the body's natural defences, reports the Daily Record. At present, average life expectancy in Britain is 75 years old. The new pill contains the protein ependymin, which is produced by the brain and stimulates the body into making its own disease-fighting antioxidants. These are found in fruit and vegetables, and researchers claim the new pill has the equivalent effect of eating 30lbs of fruit and vegetables every day. Mr Parkinson said: "Everyone taking a pill will feel better and have more energy. Instead of pumping the patient full of chemicals, we will be giving them a more natural drug." Now trials at Edinburgh University will see if help is at hand and test the drug on those with lung disease. The university's Professor Bill MacNee says it could also have a huge effect on the treatment of Alzheimer's and strokes. He said: "If it works, it will have all sorts of implications, not only for lung conditions but any other disease in which oxidative stress plays a part." _________________________________________ er... is this a good thing, really? Would that cause more or less problems? On one hand, people might start calming down and become less fearful if they know they have a longer life ahead of them, on the other hand, this planet is already incredibly overpopulated.... imagine what this would do to the job market, to things like retirement.. retire at 60, then live another 60? on what? or be forced to work another 20-30 years to make sure you have enough to cover it? Would this cause more or less misery in the world? Discuss... |
But you can kiss Social Security goodbye, I bet. |
i think the idea of retirement is ridiculous. people live for it, work for it, hate their jobs. planning to retire exactly at a certain age is bizarre. my dad told me that 80% percent of the guys that retire from ford die within the next few years. i work for my work. i don't plan to retire. |
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Or, you can come work for me. :) |
And then...we'd have exploding birth rates and old people who aren't dying...where would we fit all these people? |
what else is there in life besides work? i mean, even if you had all the money in the world, wouldn't you still want to do *something*? would you really want to just sit around and watch tv for the rest of your life? wouldn't even constant traveling get old? i think the majority of people have to make things, create things, until they're too old to function (which is fucked up, btw. people shouldn't live beyond humane functionality). i think it's in their nature. |
I'm going to learn how to make a sword from scratch, carve wood sculpture, (or resin sculpture if there's no wood left) and learn esperanto. And that's just the first five years after retirement. |
Only recently did it become clear my grandfather shouldnt drive anymore when a 2 mile round trip to the recycling dump turned into a fiasco that found him on the other side of town (20+ miles), confused, with police and a banged up fender. he told police that he must have hit someone because he had been walking in wet grass earlier (he surveys the wetness to determine cut-ability) and his foot slipped off the brake pedal. WHUT? Anyway, the car keys have been taken away, but Im with heather. retirement, at least as we know it is for the birds. i may not come to a job everyday but damned if i'll stop functioning and creating. |
I was just thinking what this pill would do politically... pandering to 110 year olds, a new layer of senior citizens to cater to, a new layer of senior citizens running shit. It would be horrible. |
Besides, they're going to spend all their time playing PlayStation 10 or something. Me, I'll be honing up on martial arts and kickin' ass. or not. |
I always figured it would be great to have the older people around longer to help raise the kids, grand kids etc. Maybe you wouldn't need a village then. And maybe you wouldn't need social security as much, as you would be healthy longer, work longer and generally carry your own weight. |