The World in 2030

288 The World in 2030
Before considering the possibilities of being able to live forever
if we can only make it to the year 2022, it is worth
asking a moral question about the ambition for extreme
longevity. I began this report with the observation that the
world’s greatest problem is the massively increased population
that the planet will have to carry later in the century –
probably a total of between nine and twelve billion by 2050
– and the idea of wealthy, successful individuals in the rich
world (not Ray Kurzweil or Dr. Grossman specifically) who
are now plotting to extend their lives indefinitely seems, at
first glance, somewhat selfish. But individual human rights
dictate that we are all free to strive for both our health and
for the maximum lifespan (if we are able to afford to do so)
and it will certainly be true that the pioneers in the field of
human longevity will show the rest of us what’s possible. It
will be those demonstrations (if successful) that will inspire
others to follow their lead.
Ray Kurzweil is now 59 years old and he claims that by
taking what he calls ‘aggressive supplementation’ and living
a particular and quite rigorous lifestyle he was able to cure
himself of diabetes without medication. He also claims that
his medically-checked biological age is closer to 40, rather
than to 60 years old.
Kurzweil takes 250 supplements a day 510 (vitamins, antitoxicants
and other substances, some intravenously, that
are believed to promote health and fight off ageing) and he
receives two blood transfusions a week – all in an attempt to
remain as youthful as possible. Is he yet another American
crackpot on a personal quest for immortality or a wellinformed,
scientifically-educated futurist who has glimpsed