An interesting article in today's Atlanta Constitution-Journal offers hope about the prospects of humans living long, I mean very long lives in the near future. Much of the article is based on the Biblical reference about Methusalah and other Biblical charaters whose life expectancy exceeded several centuries. Modern genetics research is working towards identifying the right gene which can result in some individuals living to be at least 350 years old. The implications of prolonged longevity are indeed profound. Will prolonged longevity ameliorate the problems associated with arthritis or will this debilitating disease just be post-poned? I'm all for living a long time but I still wonder what people will look like after age 125? QED

-- Anonymous, September 02, 2003

Answers

I am wondering what people will feel like after 125? And who will be the ones who can benefit from this grand manipulation of genetics? Everyone? Only the rich?

I've talked to older persons over 85. Some really lament about attending the funerals of their spouces, friends and family members they grew up with. Just because they have lived a long time, they feel as though they are alone. Life has changed dramatically since they were young and they leave the new stuff to us young whipper snappers. Most have carried the bloodstained banner for years and look forward to fighting war no more on the other side of the Jordan. (Especially when they get over 90). Sometimes what we might think is a blessing, could actually be a curse. The fountain of youth implies that you'll never feel, look (or think?) over 25-35 after hundereds of years. Prolonged longevity is something else. What are these scientists promoting? Longevity or Youth? One is vastly different than the other.

Plus, I am a working woman praying that Social Security will be around when I am 65. What will be the retirement age?!

-- Anonymous, September 02, 2003

While I do not discourage scientific discoveries, I believe God set before us all the elements that can address the medical maladies that we face, yer I see man's attempts to extend life curiously similiar to the story of the tower of Babel. The point is, we seek blindly to have on our own terms, what God has offered freely. Eternal (existence) life.

I think this is the problen with our scientific community and those of us in the church who are staddling the fence. Even if we were to live 350 years, there still is the point of life's cessation. My question is.. then what?

I am comfortable with Saint Paul's assertion "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Therefore, the words of Moses in Psalm 90 are not sad words, but words of purpose. He says "The length of our days is seventy years-- or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away." Then he tells us that we should make the most of these days. "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Perhaps our days can be better spent doing all the good we can and telling a lost world about a risen Savior than worrying about lomgevity.

Personally, I am eagerly looking to the day that "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."

The Best is Yet To Come!

I understand and live I such we are coing to the

-- Anonymous, September 02, 2003

Why should anyone want to live 350 years? Life even at its best can be tough. I'll take my three-score years and ten and if by reason of strength four-score and then go to heaven.

-- Anonymous, September 03, 2003