Next time you sing “Happy Birthday” to someone and the dreaded line about “How Old Are You Now?” comes up, can you imagine if the answer is 500, 900 or even 1,000?! British researcher Aubrey De Grey thinks it’s possible and his lifelong dedication to extending the range of human life virtually guarantees stretching out life expectancy by that much. The Cambridge-based computer scientist and biogerontologist argues that the process of aging is merely a disease that can be cured if we find the solution to the age-old “engineering problem” that limits most of our lifespans to just about a century. In his studies, he outlines the seven basic ways people age, and how we can “solve” each one. He calls anyone who laughs at his findings “fatalists” and urges critics to compare other diseases to aging. His argument: Aging kills more people than all other diseases combined. And he’s not just talking about extending the golden years; he aims to make life at 500 as “fun” as life at 50. So what about overpopulation? “Who are we to impose our values on the future?” he responds. So how far are we from discovering a “cure” to aging? He says people in late midlife currently, can expect to benefit from scientific advancements that will cause them to live 30 years longer, opening a window for continued advancement that will extend their lives another few decades and so forth until the rate of his “Longevity Escape Velocity” theory puts the lifespan of the general population below the advancement of science. In other words, the first 200-year-old will only be 150 when science comes up with a way to expand the lifespan of “double centenarians” another century, until most of the world’s population can plan to add an extra zero to the 100-year life expectancy we currently expect. For more, visit the Immortality Institute at Imminst.org.
Divorce S.O.S.
Divorce can be a nasty time in anyone’s life…especially when children and balancing a career are concerned. Parent Coordination (PC) is a problem-solving service offered to parents that are going through — or have been through — a divorce. The goal of PC is to offer professional assistance to parents who need help learning to work together to keep their children free from exposure to parental conflict. A Parent Coordinator can assist in the creation of a parenting plan, monitor compliance and help resolve disputes as they arise. For attorneys and courts, the goal of the Parent Coordinator is to help their clients avoid chronic litigation and comply with court orders. Litigation can get out of hand and be draining for both divorcees and attorneys. Attorneys and Mediators should recommend PC when children are involved, especially if a parent is of high conflict. Although PC involves skills that are therapeutic, it is not therapy. A PC may assist in issues such as planning visitation schedules and holiday planning; promoting positive exchanges between parents; establishing daily routines in the two homes; solving daycare/babysitting issues; providing transportation and exchange plans; planning for medical care; determining psychological counseling or testing; aiding with extra-curricular activities, education, tutoring and discipline strategies; and problem-solving related to payment issues and conflicts.
› Lisette N. Beraja is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and Parenting Coordinator approved by the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida. To discuss Parent Coordination options, email [email protected].
“I think that given sufficient funding we have a 50-50 chance of completely stopping people from dying of old age within about 25 or 30 years from now.”
— Aubrey De Grey
Life Cells
Scientists have discovered that telemers, the genetic ends of human cells, peg the maximum human lifespan at 120 years of age. Scientists are currently developing ways to extend them.
Longest Lifespan
Jeanne Louise Calment lived to be 122 years old. Here she is pictured on here celebrating her 121 birthday. She rode a bike until the age of 100.
Older & Older
Researchers estimate that human lifespan is currently expanding at a rate of 1-2 years per decade. In the next 20 years, that number could double.
