Life in the Age of Old, Old Age

A long, worthwhile article from the New York Times looks at notable centenarians, prospects for lengthening the healthy human lifespan, arguments for and against progress, and social changes forseen to be the results of advancing medical science. Today's spritely 70-somethings who act 50-something will be replaced by spritely 90-somethings who act 50-something. There are human faces, dreams and aspirations surrounding advances in longevity - people have gained extra healthy years and done well with them. Others may yet gain more, but how rapidly will the necessary new medicines come into being? This is a matter of funding and the will to support medical research.

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/22/magazine/22LONGEVITY.html?th