The thought of living to 150 years old is one that poses many follow-up thoughts and concerns. Although my husband would without a doubt sign up for that opportunity, I’m a little more hesitant. What does living that long mean? What could the quality of life possibly be? Would I be the last man standing at that age, or does everyone I love get to live that long too? There are so many variables to consider.
According the LAD Bible, scientist Professor Steve Horvath of Alto Labs in the UK believes it is entirely possible. Horvath is responsible for constructing the “Horvath aging clock,” which essentially calculates how many “miles” are on a body and wanted to use that information to extend our short lifespans.
“I felt that it was important to develop [an aging] clock to advance scientific inquiry in the field of longevity,” Horvath explained to Time Magazine. “I felt we needed exact measurements of aging before we could really study it and then hopefully one day find interventions that can reverse aging.”
The life expectancy for humans is currently around 78 years old, but Pew Research’s latest poll reveals that the average American wants to live a lot longer.
“A broad majority of adults (76%) say they would want to live until they’re at least 80,” the research noted. “That includes 29% who would like to reach 100 and join the rapidly growing ranks of centenarians. On average, Americans want to live to be 91 years old.”
The oldest person to have ever lived was a French woman named Jeanne Louise Calment (shown in a photograph in 1895), who died at the age of 122 years and 164 days in 1997. According to The Guardian, she was still cycling at 100, gave up smoking at 117, and recorded a rap album at 121 but rapidly declined afterward until her death a year later.
Currently, there are “hundreds” of aging clocks that exist, and Horvath believes that although they aren’t good for consumer use, they could be instrumental tools in helping scientists, doctors, and clinicians take in new data that can help them extend a patient’s life significantly.
“If we don’t wipe each other out in a nuclear holocaust and if we can avoid wars and pandemics, I think our species at some point will find ways to extend lifespan drastically,” Horvath revealed to Time, adding that the age of 150 is plausible. “I have no doubt it will happen. No question.”
