PHOTO BY ANNE NYGARD
What Do You Think?
Should We Fight to Extend the Human Life Span?
Consider the pros and cons of slowing aging and extending the human life span, then decide
(Bood, Eric. “How Old Is Too Old? A debate on toying with the human life span.” Stat News. 4 Feb. 2016. )
Some say 
A longer life:
- Would give people the chance for several fulfilling and diverse careers
- Gives people more time to experience the joys of life, such as pursuing a lifelong passion or spending time with friends and family, or the freedom to explore more of the world.
- Enables people to contribute more to society.
- Means more time to learn from our elders.
- Would revolutionize general well-being by minimizing or preventing the diseases of aging.
Some argue 
A longer life:
- Could be a huge burden on society. It would lead to overpopulation.
- Would put a burden on programs such as Social Security and Medicare.
- Makes it substantially harder to promote environmental sustainability.
- Would lead to dramatic increases in unemployment among the young.
- Would increase inequality. What if only the rich can afford it?
- Would prevent new ideas from taking root as one generation is replaced by the next.
- Means decisions wouldn’t matter so much because life’s meaning comes from its finitude.