There are Puranic stories of how the gods became immortal by drinking Amrita (nectar), gaining eternal youth in the process. The Mahabharata tells the tale of King Yayati, who traded his premature old age for his son Puru’s youth, indulging in sensory pleasures for a thousand years. The Puranas also suggest that in the Krita Yuga, the average human lifespan spanned several millennia. The desire to live forever is humanity’s oldest craving. Alongside it, the dream of staying forever young is just as ancient. There is a long-standing belief that through Kaya-kalpa treatment, one can rejuvenate every cell in the body to regain youth repeatedly, thereby living an incredibly long life—a science supposedly known to the great yogis of ancient India. In the Western world, stories of “magic potions” and the “Fountain of Youth” that ward off old age are plenty. The idea of creating a substance to reverse or significantly slow down the aging process took root a long time ago.
The concept of the “Fountain of Youth” continues to haunt modern scientists as well. A conviction is growing among them that “even if we cannot conquer death, we can certainly conquer old age.” In scientific circles, it is now common to discuss how “aging” is not an inevitable curse imposed by nature; while it seems natural if the body is left to itself, aging is actually not a natural process but akin to a disease. They argue it can be prevented through various methods, meaning lifelong youth is achievable. They suggest that the average human lifespan could be doubled in the next 30–40 years, and by the end of this century, the body could be refined and equipped to live for 500 to 1,000 years.
The number of scientists who believe that “if we artificially extend our physical boundaries, it is possible to live for 150 or 200 years” is higher than ever. These people are called “Transhumanists.”
The reason for this optimism is the significant progress in nanotechnology, genetic science, and stem cell research. Particularly, the “Transhumanist” faction of scientists firmly believes that the human body can be subjected to continuous improvements and modifications. Even our country’s Ayurveda has the extension of life as its core objective. Today, instead of Kaya-kalpa or “magic potions,” modern science is focusing on achieving improvements at the genetic level.
Cultural and social desires gradually pave the way for scientific inquiries, inventions, and the testing of possibilities. Modern science (much like ancient science) has been striving to increase the average lifespan, find cures for all known diseases, and ensure that however long a person lives, those years are filled with youth. This led to the discovery of new medicines and treatments, a process that continues today. Unprecedented amounts of money are being poured into medical research. As a result, the average life expectancy at birth is now double what it was a century ago. For instance, in Monaco, a tiny country of two square kilometers, the average lifespan has risen from around 40 years to 91 years—the highest in the world. In India, it has climbed from 35 to 70 years. It has also been observed that in certain cultural environments known as “Blue Zones,” the number of healthy centenarians is significantly higher than in other regions.
The number of scientists who believe that “if we artificially extend our physical boundaries, it is possible to live for 150 or 200 years” is higher than ever. These people are called “Transhumanists.” Their belief is that human physical and intellectual capabilities can be enhanced through new technologies. More dreamers are emerging who want to physically merge “Human Intelligence” with “Artificial Intelligence.” One cannot predict what strange research this will trigger. Some transhumanist scientists have been saying that if this continues, human lifespan could rise to 120–150 years within the next 30–50 years, as human cells possess that inherent capacity. There is also a belief in scientific circles that by simply understanding and managing the current natural strength of cells—without even making special efforts to double their capacity artificially—it is possible to give people a life of 200 years.
Many genes responsible for human “aging” have been identified. Experiments to modify the genome of worms to extend their youth have been successful. In the next 20–30 years, we will learn about many more genes. By stimulating “aging genes,” improvements can be made in the cell regeneration process; similar experiments on flies are said to have been successful. Aubrey de Grey, a British scientist, is a man obsessed with gerontology and the stem cell field. He studies as if stopping old age is his life’s sole purpose. His book Ending Aging drew intense global attention. He believes that in the next century, the human body will be refined enough to live for 1,000 years! His ambitious confidence is such: “If you don’t get any disease for the next 30–40 years, you will never get one thereafter.” According to him, in 20 years, women will no longer experience menopause! He claims, “As a result of stem cell research, the age limit for women to conceive or have physical desires will vanish; just as an artificial heart can be created through tissue engineering, new eggs can be created in a woman’s body.”
In the West, the strange concepts of “Transhumanism” are taking root in various ways. Young billionaires who have amassed billions are gripped by the fear that their immense wealth will slip away when they die! The desire to “never die” haunts them intensely. Many are pouring vast sums into “anti-aging” research. Countless anti-aging startups have cropped up. The demand for (and earnings of) transhumanist scientists has skyrocketed. In America, which is always in a rush to be at the forefront of every global extreme, the “body-hacking” craze is growing wildly. A new kind of Kaya-kalpa treatment based on gene, nano, and stem cell technologies has begun. In the future, “designer babies” who possess anti-aging qualities from birth might also arrive!
There is another dimension to these mad experiments. “Grafting” is also happening—creating new species by mixing elements of different animals! Experiments are already underway in China to add human brain elements to monkeys. If completely successful, an adventurous China might establish a new “Ape Regiment” in its army. Small monkeys could be used for espionage or even to plant bombs. Not just that—scientists in various countries are trying to create artificial cells. It is expected that within 20 years, an announcement regarding their “achievement” will be made. Creating life artificially is called “Wet Artificial Life.” There is currently a fierce competition among scientists to create cells in laboratories. The first step is to artificially create a tiny cell using the basic chemical elements found in DNA. If perfected, it would crack the secrets of creation and change the world beyond imagination. It is hard to guess what new possibilities—and problems—will emerge. Perhaps an era of strange “hybrid species” created through new mixtures, who cannot be called “humans,” will begin!
Another scientist interested in this subject is the Nobel laureate Venki Ramakrishnan. However, his is a natural, life-aligned opinion. In his recent book Why We Die, he opines: “Eternal youth and such are unrealistic. While long life is possible in some organisms, it is difficult for humans to surpass biological and evolutionary limits through artificial methods. Improving health is possible. There is no other way except for the maximum benefits derived from proper food, good sleep, and sufficient exercise.”
What “social” impact could these “scientific” anomalies have? Until now, our entire world system has been planned based on a maximum human lifespan of 100 years. All economic, social, educational, familial, and political systems have been shaped accordingly. If the average lifespan reaches 150 years, all these will be disrupted. New ways of managing life will have to be devised. Current systems like pensions and insurance will all be thrown into chaos.
Those dreaming of “achieving immortality” fail to realize the reality that no matter how many years they live on this earth, their experience of “a single day” will not change. The current experience of spending a day (due to the Earth’s rotation and day-night cycles) will remain the same in the future. Even the “immortals” must live through one day at a time like everyone else. Their day, too, will have 24 hours. Spending thousands of years just passing the days is no ordinary feat. Such a long life should not become meaningless. Finding its purpose and fulfillment will not be easy.
Venki Ramakrishnan believes that “the current limitations of human life are exactly what give it gravity and meaning.” Isn’t that the moral of the story of Yayati as well? What does Yayati do after serious contemplation on life? He takes back the old age he had transferred to his son and becomes an old man once again!
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