These days, it’s very difficult to enjoy a happy life. I believe that a long life does not always equal a happy life. Quality of life is much more important factor than a long life. I’ll talk about why I think so.
First, the longer we live, the more the life of the elderly seems to be in danger. One of my definitions of happy life is life without any annoying, conflict and contention. However, I feel uneasy about the future. Demographic imbalance causes some social problems such as labor shortage, medical crisis, pension fiasco and so on. Especially for people who don't have any children like me, it’s a serious matter to handle posthumous chore. Whom can I rely on? If I become unconscious out of the blue, who deal with payment of medical care, handling real estate/bank account, informing utility sector about my death, discarding refrigerator/VCR, my cat and so on? There is no sophisticated system in our society. A lot of things would annoy the elderly. It’s no exaggeration to say that it’s not happy to live in such a low quality environment.
Second, We can have a happy life even if we live a short life if we have made a significant contribution or accomplishment to society or to the work we are doing.
As another definition of my happy life, it is life I feel accomplishment, fulfillment and contribution to society. I believe that I could contribute to society through technology. Because I have already had released some consumer products such as GPS, Electric train pass on the market. Of course, I want to pursuit further technical enhancement. But there is no limit. I’d accept my finish even if I’m forced to end my life in some reasons or others. I believe we can experience a happy life not to say long life.
In conclusion, whether our life is happy or not is not a matter of time. It’s a matter of quality of life.
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Do you want to live another 1000 years?
Now, biotechnolory is advancing so rapidly, so actually I do feel advancement of technology is too fast for us. I can convince you this.
Now genetic engineering has opened possibilities that we might be able to prolong our lives for another 1000 years. Up until now our debate topic was that we would be able to cure all diseases so we would be able to live up to 120 years, but do you want to do that?
And now another 1000 years! Due to technology of stop aging. Inside of our each cell are DNAs, and this DNA has tip parts, which are called telomere at both ends. This telomere becomes shorter every time the cell devides. So it means the life of our cells have limitation, therefore our life span.
But if we could repair this shortened telomere back to original length by genetic engineering, it means we could be actually immortal, and now top scientists say there is such possibility. They predict that it would take several decades to develop this technology, so the possible patients would be those who are 45 years old or younger. But do you really want to receive this treatment? Living another 1000 years? Does this mean we lead happier life? Can you decide your mind about wheter you recive it or not right now?
In many of Asian countries people say if you live up to 60 years old, it is enough. You have already lived your life, so you do not have to prolong your life. Maybe it is true, but I also heard one Japanese old man who passed 100 years say he did still not want to die. And in America, I also found there was a philosophy, not everybody agrees with though, that real life starts after that person retires from his regular work. So it seems that preference for this treatment would vary each person.
But if God or Devil suddenly asked me to make my choice right now, I do not know which to choose. Can you?
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