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Would you like to live for another 50 years?

(78 Posts)
starbird Sun 29-Nov-15 18:55:35

I read in today's paper that a common drug that costs 10p a day may enable some people to live 50% longer. They will be starting trials on 70 and 80 year olds. Personally I would not want to live that much longer, would you?

Ana Sun 29-Nov-15 19:12:01

50 years longer? Or just 50% longer than they would have done without the drug - i.e. possibly 5-10 years longer?

NfkDumpling Sun 29-Nov-15 19:21:59

Depends on the side effects. Not if it meant constipation, or turned you into a zombie.

But I'm not fed up with life just yet so yes, provided I could stay reasonably healthy and keep the marbles I've got now.

starbird Sun 29-Nov-15 19:23:14

It's not clear from the article (in today's Telegraph) what the effect will be on existing pensioners, maybe they won't know until the trial is finished (or until everyone on the trial dies!). But it says people could live and be fit up to the age of 120.

Nelliemoser Sun 29-Nov-15 19:28:51

No!

soontobe Sun 29-Nov-15 19:29:00

All depends on health for me.

Bellanonna Sun 29-Nov-15 19:29:09

No thanks

Ana Sun 29-Nov-15 19:32:16

Is it 50 years longer or 50% longer from when you take the drug?

confused

kittylester Sun 29-Nov-15 19:38:58

Yes please, if I'm still healthy and not a burden!

Bellanonna Sun 29-Nov-15 19:39:01

And if it were from start of drug, how would you know it was 50%? What if you were due to die the next month, then you would only live for two months ? Not sure I've understood.

grannylyn65 Sun 29-Nov-15 19:42:19

God no!!

Luckygirl Sun 29-Nov-15 19:47:04

Not feeling as I do - every day has its struggles. sad

loopylou Sun 29-Nov-15 19:47:52

That would definitely bugger up the NHS, wouldn't it?
We're already living 'too long' hence the mess it's in so goodness what would be the outcome! I guess it's fine if you're fit and healthy but if already in ill health.......

No thanks, count me out grin

jinglbellsfrocks Sun 29-Nov-15 20:04:10

Why don't they the research money into sorting out the things that trouble us in later life, rather than magic wonder pills to make us live longer? hmm

rosequartz Sun 29-Nov-15 20:08:06

Is it April 1st?

However, I could get all those UFOs finished .....

rosequartz Sun 29-Nov-15 20:10:20

Not if it meant constipation grin

starbird can you do a link?

starbird Sun 29-Nov-15 20:14:20

It was an accidental finding that a cheap drug used on diabetics seemed to make them live longer, so now they want to test it on non diabetics. It works by oxygenating the cells so that they carry on dividing and renewing instead of slowing down as in old age. Experiments on animals indicate it could prolong a healthy life in humans to 120 years at least, but how would we cope with the population increase, employment etc? Who would want it, apart from the very rich?

rosequartz Sun 29-Nov-15 20:38:21

I might get everything done that needs doing.

Then again, I could spend more time procrastinating grin
But then again, if it speeds up my cells it may speed me up as well

Charleygirl Sun 29-Nov-15 20:43:41

No, my replaced joint would not cope that length of time and would there be enough money to pay our pensions? Is there not a general moan now that we are living too long?

Indinana Sun 29-Nov-15 20:49:06

Can you imagine what the government would do, at the prospect of us all drawing our state pensions till we were 120? The pension age would probably be raised to 100 shock

Indinana Sun 29-Nov-15 20:49:43

Sorry Charleygirl, X posts

rosequartz Sun 29-Nov-15 20:50:47

Can you imagine what the Intergenerational Foundation would make of it Charleygirl? shock

rosesarered Sun 29-Nov-15 21:08:16

It would give us all more time to watch Midsomer Murders tchgrin

rosequartz Sun 29-Nov-15 21:10:30

And catch up with Lewis! smile

Indinana Sun 29-Nov-15 22:06:36

And use up all our fabric and wool stash grin