USA: Is Longevity a Luxury or Liability?

BOCA RATON, Florida (AgeVenture News Service), August 14, 2006: By Dr. David J. Demko, Gerontologist and Editor AgeVenture News Service Time's Up! .....Stop writing......Pencils down......Hand-in your test." .....It's over. Bring back any memories of that empty feeling in your school-kid gut ? The feeling that prompted the anguished whisper to yourself ... "But, I'm not done yet". Too bad, Buck'o. Pass or fail? It's over. That's how death feels. And that's why many people fear it. Fear can drive us to great lengths in order to delay the inevitable ... the "it's over" part. The pursuit of longevity is one way to delay the inevitable. Like a condemned prisoner ordering his last meal ... a five course "Martha Stewart extravaganza" meal with all the trimmings. It won't change the condemned man's fate ... but it will delay (provide extended time before) the inevitable. Okay, so wanting to live longer is not a crime. But is it a selfish pursuit? Is it unselfish if the extended time is spent making amends ... doing something productive ... "giving back" to the people who nurtured our existence? That's a very, very, very important question with a variety of answers. Longevity is an extended life. But, extended time to do what? More years of the same kind of existence ... a re-run, so to speak. Should society's health resources focus on providing people with a "re-run" of an insignificant life? On the other hand, an extended life can provide more time for a "do-over" life. A chance to finally get it right? A chance to use our God-given talents for something more than personal gain. A chance to go beyond being just successful ... taking a stab at being significant ... making a difference. Yes, the pursuit of longevity is a noble goal if there is some greater purpose other than extended time. Here's the point. America's pursuit of longevity is a head-long, high-gear, all-systems-go enterprise. We've got the process (the science) of longevity down to a "T". But, what is the goal of longevity? Where are we headed? What is the reason for it? Also, is longevity an entitlement or a privilege (buy it if you like, but don't expect society to pay for the privilege). Purpose (the goal) takes precedence over process (taking action). For example, it's nice to go for a drive, but not over a cliff. It's important to understand the final destination of your actions. Anyway, that's how I see it. For those unfamiliar with the science of gerontology (the study of aging) let me summarize the key terms in this great debate. Life-span, life-expectancy, and longevity are not contradictory terms, but neither does each term have a common meaning. § life-span refers to the maximum number of years possible for a human to live. The current estimate is 120 years, but some argue much longer, 800 years to infinite lives. § life-expectancy refers to the number of years a human can expect to live. The average life-expectancy in the U.S. is 77 years. § longevity refers to "closing the gap" between life-span and life-expectancy. For example, how can science increase life-expectancy (77 years) to equal life-span (120 years)? Longevity (making life-expectancy equal life-span and beyond) will happen. The progress of science virtually guarantees it. How will longevity affect the very society that science is meant to serve? We're headed for a destination of unknown impact and consequence. A destination whose goal, purpose, and meaning escapes us. Is longevity for losers? Yes, if it's just an extension of time. Face it. "If people lived for ever, they would take forever to get anything done." By Dr. David J. Demko