The Ultimate Secret to Eternal Youth Revealed: Unraveling the Longevity Treatment Trope in Science Fiction

Science fiction authors often take a break from pessimism to envision a positive future, where advancements in medical technology play a significant role. Imagining a new era, they paint a picture of humanity enjoying extended lifespans of two or three hundred years, filled with good health and an active lifestyle. However, the methods of achieving this longevity treatment vary, and the resulting effects differ as well. The beauty of science fiction lies in its ability to combine old ideas in innovative ways, allowing authors to delve into the cascading consequences of every innovation. Even something as exhilarating as a prolonged lifespan brings forth numerous questions to ponder.

Right now, the average worldwide lifespan stands at 73.2 years. Hong Kong holds the crown for the highest average lifespan, boasting a healthy 85.29 years. Surprisingly, despite its wealth, the United States ranks 46th with an average of 79.11 years. On the opposite end, the Central African Republic, currently caught in a decade-long civil war, has the lowest average of 54.4 years.

Longevity Treatments, advanced scientific breakthroughs in this fictional world, hold the potential to significantly raise these numbers. While immortality remains elusive, these treatments can extend lifespans by several centuries. Various forms of Longevity Treatments exist, such as cybernetic enhancements, chemical rejuvenation, regular organ transplants, and even vat-grown replacement bodies. However, access to Longevity Treatments is not widespread, creating a society where the wealthy can live for generations while the poor struggle to navigate their limited time.

One of the most popular methods for achieving longevity involves introducing a foreign substance into the bloodstream, which acts as a preservative for the body, similar to the dimethylpolysiloxane found in a McChicken sandwich. In Frank Herbert's Dune, the focus is on a natural narcotic known as the spice melange, which has the remarkable ability to extend a person's lifespan by more than 300 years. Robert Heinlein's novel Methuselah's Children presents a Longevity Treatment that raises concerns due to its implications. The story introduces the Howard families, who are the result of a wealthy individual's selective breeding program, leading to the creation of genetically engineered children with exceptionally long lifespans. This success prompts the rest of humanity to engage in feverish research for their own Longevity Treatment, resulting in the systematic replacement of blood and organs with artificially grown replicas. In various science fiction universes, chemical treatments with names like "prolong" and "JuvEn" are featured, although their scientific explanation is not fully provided. However, fans are able to grasp their purpose without understanding the underlying mechanisms.

If chemical treatments do not suffice, machinery becomes another viable option. Nanomachines are frequently utilized to combat diseases and extend lifespans. In Stephen Baxter's Xeelee Sequence, microscopic robots are introduced that constantly repair any biological damage as it occurs, granting humans an additional 400-500 years of life. However, this method tends to fail when the body succumbs to a terminal illness. Howard Tayler's webcomic Schlock Mercenary showcases "Project Laz'r'us," which involves highly advanced nanobots capable of resurrecting recently deceased individuals and replicating all the brain data. Nanomachines have long been a favored explanation for any fantastical elements in science fiction, serving as a convenient solution for various purposes. While not explicitly designed for longevity in the Metal Gear Solid franchise, they provide medical care and superhuman abilities to the super soldiers within the series.

One of the most captivating forms of Longevity Treatment involves discarding the mortal vessel and transitioning into a fresh one. Richard K. Morgan's Takeshi Kovacs series envisions a distant future where every individual's persona is uploaded into a small device known as a cortical stack at birth. Upon the demise of their organic body, users can be "resleeved" into a new physical form. Tarsem Singh's 2015 film Self/Less explores a similar concept, albeit with the unfortunate twist of the new sleeve possessing its own personality, life, and memories. Animator Don Hertzfeld regularly delves into the notion of immortality in his works. His World of Tomorrow trilogy presents the most profound exploration of this trope ever produced. These films depict a future where humanity has various avenues for existence, but the fixation on eternal life has transformed everyday living into a never-ending nightmare. The trilogy concludes with a heartwarming message conveyed by a distant clone to her original four-year-old self. World of Tomorrow urges us to reject the idea of eternity and embrace the present moment. Anyone with even the slightest interest in this trope or the concept of immortality in general must make it a priority to watch these films.

People's fear of death drives them to go to great lengths to prolong their lives. With advancing technology, the possibilities for life extension will inevitably increase. Unfortunately, there are already unscrupulous companies charging exorbitant amounts for the blood of young individuals. So when a company emerges offering alternatives like chemicals, nanomachines, or even new body parts as a means to overcome mortality, it becomes crucial for everyone to carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages. Ideally, humanity will have access to one of the simpler solutions before desperation sets in.