Important Scientific Breakthrough!

[Skylar1]

FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Imagine taking a pill that could help you live to be 100 years old.
Scientists expect such a drug to be ready for testing within three years; and they claim the pill could revolutionize aging.
Here's the deal: Researchers have identified three so-called Supergenes that allow those who have them to live to 100 years.
Two of these genes produce what is referred to as good cholesterol, which reduces the risk of heart disease and strokes. The third gene protects against diabetes.
People born with these three genes are 20 times more likely to reach 100 years old - even if they're overweight, heavy smokers, have a bad diet or don't exercise. In other words - they can maintain these unhealthy habits and still live longer. Those with these three genes in their DNA are also 80 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease.
Now that scientists have identified these Supergenes, they're trying to develop a pill that will duplicate those genes so anyone can live that long.
Experts say this will eventually mean longer and healthier lives for millions of people.
However, the social implications of something like this are immense. We are already overpopulating the planet. And just think about the costs of Social Security, Medicare, etc. if more and more people start making it to 100.

http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/category/longevity/

This is pretty cool I must admit.

[Gjallarhorn]

As if overpopulation wasn't enough of a threat already...

Interest, though.

[Miss Moonlight]

Interesting, but also kinda pointless.

My grandmother lived to be 96, but it was only because of a triple heart bypass that lengthened her life by 10 years. And she didn't live an easy life.

Other than that, I don't understand the obsession with fighting aging. I mean sure, everyone does everything they can to be able to live longer, but personally, I don't know if i'd really want to live to be 100.

People born with these three genes are 20 times more likely to reach 100 years old - even if they're overweight, heavy smokers, have a bad diet or don't exercise. In other words - they can maintain these unhealthy habits and still live longer.

So, the world will be even more filled with people who still don't know how to take care of themselves and will rely on a pill instead? we have enough of that already.

[Aku no Hikari]

Interesting, though I am a little bit (a whole lot?) skeptic about this. For example, we don't know if the drug has any other side effects that might make people who take it die faster, or make their life harder. (In this case, living longer would be like hell.)

[sa5m]

Not looking forward to the increase in old people, honestly. There'll be more disgruntled driving by me, that's for sure.

[Vyndrasta]

Not looking forward to the increase in old people, honestly. There'll be more disgruntled driving by me, that's for sure.

LOL. True. And of course, we have the new era of crazy young drivers as well.

[unruley700]

....there goes social security

[Shinn Kamiyra]

http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/category/longevity/

This is pretty cool I must admit.

From a purely personal perspective, I don't see much of a point in living to be 100 years old. I mean, unless this 'breakthrough' can somehow reinvigorate our bodies and minds to a point where we're not sitting in a wheelchair or lying in a bed near 24/7; where I to be offered this pill, I'd have to decline.

When you get right down to it, I've never seen a lifestyle of cushy retirement, or whatever it is you want to call it, as the kind of 'living' that I see as being worthwhile. Given the choice, I'd rather live a full life somewhere around my mid to late fifties and then have myself move on to whatever is waiting on the other side.

[lilaznkid]

Although it's interesting to me, I probably wouldn't want to take this pill because, what are you going to do when you're that old? You can't really do much anymore or can't really do anything in my opinion. I find it better if you just live your life to the fullest and die with little to no regrets.

[ultra_maniac]

Interesting topic but "NO THANKS" overpopulation and who want's to live that long and burden their children or other's and more of I would have considered a pill if it could make me young for 100 year's with life.
Life alone would be boring.

[Khanxay]

but personally, I don't know if i'd really want to live to be 100.

This is pretty much how I feel about this... atm at least. I dunno. I never liked the idea of "being old". I don't think I wanna be old for very long.

Also, I hate taking pills.

[miniPhil]

Am I the only person looking forward to this? Most of you seem to fear old age but bearing in mind that by the time you reach 100 they will probably have plenty more breakthroughs such as not making old age suck.
Also does old age really suck as much as some of you are claiming? I know plenty of old couples that live quite happy lives, the biggest fear of old age for me would be Alzheimer's and that doesn't seem too much a problem with the new drug.

[Inactive Account 0061]

Who want's to be 100 anyway =/

[DOOM!]

Okay, so lemme get this straight...The Man tells me I'm fat and have Diabeetus and forces me to eat "Fitness Food" which is malnutritious and contains chemicals that cause Fat and Diabeetus. Now he tells me he pities me and gives me a pill that'll make me live even if I'm Fat and Diabeetus?

Hah! Diabeetus...

[Dr. Hax]

I never liked the idea of "being old". I don't think I wanna be old for very long.

Then an hero, already! Damn!

Who want's to be 100 anyway =/

Your mom, that's who, now shut up with yo retarded jibba jabba, fool!

Hah! Diabeetus...

[Eris]

Lolwut, you guys. Someone invents a pill that will help you stay healthy for longer instead of wasting away in some disease in your 70s, and you go "Why would I want that?! I don't want to grow old!"

I wouldn't mind this pill.

[3pleT]

This pill. Will it or will it not slow down your aging? If not, I'll go with my original plan of ODing on heroin the moment I figure out I'm no longer able to run. In fact, I'll do it anyway, this pill may just delay it.

[Eris]

This pill. Will it or will it not slow down your aging? If not, I'll go with my original plan of ODing on heroin the moment I figure out I'm no longer able to run. In fact, I'll do it anyway, this pill may just delay it.

From what I gather, it'll make you age better, but not necessarily slower. You can slow down the deterioration of age by remaining active, though. If you sit around staring at a TV all day long, you will rot, whether you're old or not.

[Cobra Commander]

If living to be 100 left me unable to do things for myself, then I wouldn't want it. However, if I were able to "age well" I don't think it'd be so bad. I don't know how long the men in my family live, since my great-grandpa is still going. I lost one grandpa to cancer, everyone else is healthy in their 70's to 90's.

I might not need to worry about this. I've always been more interested in the content of my lifespan than the length of it. Meaning if I could be abducted by aliens and travel the galaxy, but be guaranteed to die within a year of leaving, I'd do it.