Immortality

Immortality (or eternal life) is the concept of existing for a potentially infinite, or indeterminate length, of time. Throughout history, humans have had the desire to live forever. What form an unending or indefinitely-long human life would take, has been the subject of much speculation, fantasy, and debate.

Causes of death

There are three main causes of death: ageing, disease and trauma.

Related Topics:
Ageing - Disease

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Aubrey de Grey, a leading scientist in the field of aging, defines aging as follows: "a collection of cumulative changes to the molecular and cellular structure of an adult organism, which result in essential metabolic processes, but which also, once they progress far enough, increasingly disrupt metabolism, resulting in pathology and death." The current causes of aging in humans are cell loss (without replacement), oncogenic nuclear mutations and epimutations, cell senescence, mitochondrial mutations, lysosomal aggregates, extracellular aggregates, random extracellular cross-linking, immune system decline, and endocrine changes. This is a long list, but it also appears to be complete. Eliminating aging would mean finding a way to deal with each of these causes. This is indeed a formidable task, but progress is being made.

Related Topics:
Aubrey de Grey - Scientist - Molecular - Cell - Adult - Organism - Metabolic - Pathology - Oncogenic - Nuclear - Mutation - Epimutation - Senescence - Mitochondria - Lysosomal - Immune system - Endocrine

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Disease also is theoretically surmountable via technology. Human understanding of genetics is leading to cures and treatments of a myriad of previously incurable diseases. The mechanisms by which other diseases do their damage are becoming better understood. Sophisticated methods of detecting diseases early are being developed. Preventative medicine is becoming better understood. Neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's may soon be curable with the use of stem cells. Breakthroughs in cell biology and telomere research are leading to treatments for cancer. Vaccines are being researched for AIDS and tuberculosis. Genes associated with type 1 diabetes and certain types of cancer have been discovered allowing for new therapies to be developed. Artificial devices attached directly to the nervous system may restore sight to the blind. Drugs are being developed to treat a myriad of other diseases and ailments.

Related Topics:
Technology - Genetics - Preventative medicine - Parkinson's - Alzheimer's - Stem cells - Cell biology - Telomere - Cancer - Vaccine - AIDS - Tuberculosis - Type 1 diabetes - Nervous system

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Most likely the hardest cause of death to overcome is trauma. The problems of aging and disease usually at least provide ample time to solve them, if the technology exists. But even in a postulated world where aging and disease were correctable conditions, getting shot in the head is not. In situations where time available to provide treatment is extremely short, the success rate of even advanced paramedical technology remains low. Unless technology advances to the point (via perhaps nanotechnology) that a body can automatically treat itself for severe trauma, then the time it takes to deliver a patient to a care facility will likely remain the overriding factor. Preventatively engineering inherent resistance to injury into the body is thus relevant in addition to entirely reactive measures more closely associated with the paradigm of medical treatment (see transhumanism).

Related Topics:
Paramedic - Nanotechnology - Transhumanism

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On a spiritual level, some believe that death is an eternal state of illusion that the individual mind lives and replays even when its consciousness is absent. Immortality is simply gained by letting go of this individual mind before consciousness ceases (see Maum meditation).

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