Scientists develop a pill that extends your life span by 500+ years. Would you take it?

Bohm Bawerk · #1 Sep 17, '11, 12:53 am

And is there anything in current Church theology to suggest that consumption of the pill would be sinful?

Of course, the above scenario is hypothetical

Bohm Bawerk · #2 Sep 17, '11, 1:00 am

Come to think of it, I can actually picture a scenario in the future where activists claim it is against human rights to deprive developing countries of the pill simply because they can't afford it.

Rolltide · #3 Sep 17, '11, 1:05 am

I am presuming that this theoretical pill also preserves a reasonable quality of life and health as well?

Bohm Bawerk · #4 Sep 17, '11, 1:08 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rolltide

I am presuming that this theoretical pill also preserves a reasonable quality of life and health as well?

Yes; apologies that I forgot to mention that.

meltzerboy · #5 Sep 17, '11, 3:25 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bohm Bawerk

And is there anything in current Church theology to suggest that consumption of the pill would be sinful?

Of course, the above scenario is hypothetical

I don't know what Church theology would say to this, but as for myself, I don't see anything wrong with taking the pill, provided one's quality of life is maintained reasonably well; one doesn't show one's age to a marked degree; one's family, friends, and others in society also choose to take the longevity pill; something is done to ameliorate the job, health, housing, population, and other social problems, including war and terrorism, facing the world; and there's an abundant supply of reading material, cultural activities, and technological gadgets available.

odile53 · #6 Sep 17, '11, 3:39 am

Why? So I can stand in the checkout line of WalMart for a good part of that 500 years? Purgatory sounds a little more attractive than that, IMHO; you'd know you were going to heaven (eventually.)

Seriously, though, longevity for its own sake is a neutral, and therefore, somewhat pointless good, when it comes to one's eventual eternal salvation. I'd really have to think long and hard about what I'd do with that five hundred years before taking it, or better yet, what God would have assigned for me to do for five hundred years.

**tonyrey** · #7 Sep 17, '11, 4:19 am

A more interesting question is whether you would take a pill which extends your life indefinitely and keep you in good health! Those who believe there is no afterlife probably would but I regard "eternal" life in this universe as the equivalent of hell. There would be no end to evil and injustice - nor would every tear be wiped away...

**JRKH** · #8 Sep 17, '11, 4:51 am

Quite honestly I think most people would be inclined to take the pill, myself included.
As to whether I actually would or not would depend on the result of much prayer AND on whatever the Church had to say about the matter.
I believe there is a passage in the OT where God's sets man's life span at 120 years - I tried to find it but couldn't - maybe someone could clarify this for me.

That said, there are many unknowns with such a thing. As someone mentioned above, there would be questions of work, population control and sufficient resources, which would be directly effected by such a development. Other matters that already exist, would be exasperated by it, things like war and terrorism.

Thankfully no one has developed such a pill so we do not have to worry about it.

Peace
James

Samuel63 · #9 Sep 17, '11, 5:07 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bohm Bawerk

And is there anything in current Church theology to suggest that consumption of the pill would be sinful?

Of course, the above scenario is hypothetical

The church promotes life and is opposed to early termination by euthanasia. This is a small exhibit that suggests the church would support this pill, provided it was created in an ethical manner (i.e. no fetal stem cell research).

The church would also take the opportunity to remind us, eternal life is available too and does not cost much. This is arguably infinitely more valuable that the so called "pill."

Phemie · #10 Sep 17, '11, 5:14 am

Could I take just 1/4 of it?

**GEddie** · #11 Sep 17, '11, 6:06 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phemie

Could I take just 1/4 of it?

Why would you want only 125y when you could have 500????

Personally, I can't think of any concrete moral reasons why the Church would dislike this pill. Ankle-jerk opposition to social change is not a Catholic attribute; it derives more from the liberal-philosopher crowd.

Personally, I like the idea of increasing my odds of being physically alive for our LORD's return

ICXC NIKA

**JRKH** · #12 Sep 17, '11, 6:51 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by GEddie

Personally, I can't think of any concrete moral reasons why the Church would dislike this pill. Ankle-jerk opposition to social change is not a Catholic attribute; it derives more from the liberal-philosopher crowd.

On the surface it seems like there should not be opposition from the Church, but as others have pointed out, there are other matters that fit into this relating to resources, population control and such.
There are too many unknowns. For instance:
Is the Pill a one time deal or must it be taken repeatedly over the life span?
What is the efficacy of the Pill if started at various ages?
If started in childhood will it delay reaching maturity?
If taken when young does it extend ones childbearing years?
How does this effect the workforce, creation of new jobs?

I'm sure that others could come up with even more questions - things not addressed by the OP.

Overall - I wonder if taking such a pill to hang on to this physical life is really something that God would want us to do.

Quote:

Personally, I like the idea of increasing my odds of being physically alive for our LORD's return

ICXC NIKA

Quite honestly - I don't find this idea appealing. While I desire Christ's return, I know that there will be much tribulation right before this occurs. To be honest, I am not sure if my faith is strong enough to survive it (are any of us that sure of our faith). It is much more appealing to have passed on and be in heaven or purgatory when time is fulfilled and the second coming occurs.

Peace
James

ThinkingSapien · #13 Sep 17, '11, 7:05 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by GEddie

Why would you want only 125y when you could have 500????

Despite the cognitive dissonance there exists people that both don't want to die and also don't want to live forever. Give me 125 extra healthy hears and I could use it to see my grand children grow up and hopefully make some small accomplishment that will contribute to the health and well being of future generations.

You · #14 Sep 17, '11, 7:53 am

If I was one of the first humans on the planet I could see the benefit and the logic of living for 500 years or even for 900 years, there would be a lot of work to do on an empty planet. Also as one of the first humans in existence my genetics would not be good, they would be perfect, no genetic mutations whatsoever, so no reason I could not live for hundreds of years.
And since this has already happened once

how could there be any serious objective objection to it happening again apart from warnings that it might get a bit crowded now there are more people around this time.

Charlemagne II · #15 Sep 17, '11, 8:11 am

We all wish for long life to do the things we need to do to earn eternity. But science can do nothing about altering the fact that when we enter eternity, living to 500 will then seem relatively short and unimportant.

The man at 500 still has to answers for his thoughts and deeds, and will have many more to answer for.