What's that blinking light in your hand?

[elfs]

It's time to found Sanctuary.

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Ban all scientific research aimed solely at increasing longevity past 70 years. A number of biotechnology companies (which cannot be named here) are trying to allow rich people to extend their lifespans to over 100 years using pharmaceuticals. Unfortunately, this could take money from the poor and give it to the rich (in their long pensions) by increasing everyone else's pension contributions, and housing and healthcare costs. All health research directed towards extending longevity beyond 70 years should be banned to save our pension system and NHS from collapse and to give room for the wonders of the next generation.

Yes, I'm perfectly aware that this is just one lone crank, and a few miscellaneous "undersigneds," one of whom is just messing with the system. But this is a commonplace attitude, and one that must be confronted and disdained whenever possible.

Comments

[rhonan.livejournal.com]

Given the phrasing, I would tend to assume UK origin. One of the things I greatly fear in this line of research, and most things transhumanist in nature is the likelihood that they will be only available to the wealthy, yet in many ways we will all be subsidizing them. One example being former Congress-critters and their lavish pensions. On the other hand, if life-extending technologies were viewed as a public good and made available to all, they would allow many of us who will never be able to retire to keep working longer, and so be able to survive on our own.