Cambridge computer scientist Aubrey de Grey is a winsome, even if a bit eccentric, evangelist for physical immortality. He points out in his recent book, Ending Aging (2007), that around 150,000 people die each day worldwide. Of those, he asserts, “about two-thirds die of aging” (p. 8). de Grey laments that these numbers do not galvanize us to action the way other human tragedies do. We have been lulled to sleep by notions like “natural death” when there is nothing natural about dying or aging. Thus, de Grey has devised a SENS program to combat our mortality. “Strategies for Engineered Negligible Senescence” (SENS) include a number of potential therapies aimed at eliminating aging.
On the other hand, Jay Olshansky, senior researcher at the University of Illinois in Chicago, maintains that the science demonstrates that however much we would like to extend our lifespans, there are built-in limits. Senescence is a fact of life, and we have already extended life to its far limits. Some cancers, Alzheimer’s, and other age-related illnesses are evidences that we have pushed the biological boundaries. The Fountain of Youth remains as elusive as ever.
It seems to me, and others, that those of us who are concerned about bioethics and a truly human future have a stake in this debate. Brent Waters, for instance, argues that so-called transhumanists and Christians share similar interests. Both agree (1) that the current state of the human condition is less than ideal; (2) that it is important to seek a remedy; (3) that death is the final enemy; and (4) that hope lies in reaching beyond physical mortality (From Human to Posthuman, 2006). What we lack is consensus on how we get there.
To bring us up to speed on the science of life extension, these two “titans of immortality research”—Olshansky and de Grey—will debate the issue in the IMAX theatre of the Arizona Science Center on Thursday, March 6, 2008. Readers of Dignitas will not want to miss this opportunity to participate in the conversation.
In the meantime, to prepare for the debate, you might want to spend some time with:
To bring us up to speed on the ethics of life extension we have put together an exciting conference that follows the debate. You can find more details elsewhere in this issue of Dignitas, and you can register online at http://www.cbhd.org/conferences/2008/phoenix or by calling toll-free 1.888.246.3844.
Join us in Phoenix!
C. Ben Mitchell, "From the Director's Desk - Debating Immortality: It's Not a Dead Issue,” Dignitas 14, no. 4 (2007): 1, 4–5.
