Human Ageing: Search for Longevity and Immortality

Abstract

Aging of the body, just like aging of a machine, is merely a maintenance problem and so the aging could perhaps be postponed indefinitely by thorough and frequent maintenance. It is true that the human body is a machine, but not like any man-made machine. It is a self-moving, self-regulating, and self-adjusting, vital machine governed by will-power and intelligence. Ageism brings on a cascade of ills and health problems leading to deterioration of physical, mental, emotional and social dimensions of life. But there has been a significant increase in average lifespan expectancy in the developed world over the last two centuries. Without a meaningful reason for existence, the purpose of life becomes simply to die. Examining the scientific perspectives on ageing, the different manipulations for extension of ageing are discussed like Calorie Restriction, Vitamin and Antioxidant Treatment, Exercise in Humans and Hormonal Interventions. Finally the question of longevity is explored philosophically both objectively and subjectively through pursuance of eternal value-based activity and spirituality in the tradition of Indian heritage.