Jim Brannon: Seeking immortality at the cost of well-being

Death is inevitable. Generation after generation, we experience death; uniquely as individuals and collectively as a species. However, the people of the 21st century may be awarded the option of extending their life span significantly thanks to a roundworm gene known as “drr-2.”

According to Sciencedaily.com, researchers at the University of Michigan discovered that when they manipulated “drr-2,” which is similar to the human gene “eIF4H,” they could increase or decrease the life span of the animal.

The process could put an end to diseases related to aging. But before we build a monument to the roundworms and build a utopian society in the dirt, let’s talk about the consequences.

This advance will put us in the carpool lane toward self-destruction; it has the potential to upset the natural order of the universe.

The anti-aging drugs that will be put on the market won’t be available to just any Joe off the streets, which could cause a rift by separating humanity into those who live long and prosper and those who simply don’t.

The dangers of this scenario aren’t just socio-political.

The logistics of controlling the population boom that would emerge would be nullifying, and it could very well break the earth’s creaky back.

If you gave me the option between living a modest number of years before dying of some age-related disease and gambling on experimental drugs that twist my genes around to extend my life span, I would go with the non-gene-twisting option.

It’s downright selfish and arrogant for human beings to pursue additional time in this world and all the perks that go with it at the expense of their very own children.

There’s a Native American proverb that says, “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.”

If we continue to play with fire, we’ll get burned. We’ve got to keep passing that torch on, from generation to generation, and invest in our children.

It is our responsibility, as humanity, to collectively reject the concept of immortality and embrace our ultimate end, because without death, we cannot truly appreciate life. 

Eons from now, if and when alien species are salvaging the last remains of civilization on Earth, let’s hope they don’t find any evidence of tampering with human genes to increase longevity, for they will surely laugh at the absurdity of it.

Author: Jim Brannon