From attempting to create an elixir for immortality, to searching for the fountain of youth, to buying miracle supplements from the back of a health magazine, history is full of man's continuing search for longer life and immortality. Given this incentive, it is not surprising to find an article discussing the possibility of living not only to the age of 100 years, but maybe even 150. Karen Wright's article, "Staying Alive," (2003) takes a look at both sides of the discussion on aging being conducted in the scientific community right now. According to Wright's article, general life expectancy has increased worldwide over the last 200 years from 27 years old to an average of 65 years old currently, increasing about two years for every decade ever since 1840. At that rate, by 2150 the average lifespan could be 122 years old and 150 year old people will be common (Wright, 2003, p. 64).
It is because of this research into increasing life expectancy that Steve Austad, a gerontologist at the University of Idaho, has stated that he believes that it is a possibility that by 2150, people will be able to live to 150 years old. Jay Olshansky, a biodemographer from the University of Illinois, disagrees with this estimate. Wright explores each of their arguments in her article (2003, p. 64).
According to Olshansky, some of the causes of life expectancy increases since 1840 have been advances in public health, as well as quality of life improvements such as r
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