Question: why do we eventually die over time, id have thought with developments in technology we would be able to live longer?

Alex Reid answered on 14 Nov 2018:

Hi Can’t Relate. This is a really fascinating question. There are a few reasons why we might age (and die as a result). I have heard death described as ‘just an engineering problem’, which basically means that there might be some way to crack the issue of aging and the resulting deterioration of our bodies. As I said, this would only cure old age though, not death itself. My take on this issue is as follows: at a biological level our bodies carry our genes, and want to spread them as well as they can. If we want to continue spreading our genes we can’t live forever for at least two reasons. Firstly there would be genetic stagnation (one disease could wipe everyone out if we don’t keep having babies with other people). Secondly, you would use up all the resources if you lived indefinitely which is not sustainable. Your genes would end, and they don’t want this. In some ways then we may be born to die to avoid these issues. It’s all a bit grim, but also, who would want to live forever!? Maybe a few extra hundred years, sure, but eternity would be torture! Curing death might also cause all sorts of additional issues in society. Only the rich might be able to afford it at first, which would lead to a huge imbalance and probably civil unrest. Also, the problem of resources I mentioned above would rear it’s ugly head. In general while I think it is important to prolong life and help people, a cure for death might cause more problems than it fixes…