it’s interesting that you should pick up on these things. You probably know that genetics can be altered but only in the presence of ultra violet light. I find it most interesting that the depletion in the ozone layer that has occurred over the last few decades has altered the integrity of the protective shield and subsequently allows more ultra violet in. We might speculate upon the precise nature of the genetic changes this may or not be the harbinger of, evidenced at the physical level by the increased instance of skin cancer and decreased skin tolerance to exposure to sunlight.

Longevity is, no pun intended, nothing new and according to the Old Testament of the Bible, though not a scientifically verifiable text, the average age of the patriachs was 912. Adam is reported as living to 930 and Methuselah apparently reaching the ripe old age of 969. I personally have known people who were convinced that by observing certain practices they would achieve physical immortality and not only prevent the onset of the aging process but even reverse it. I say were because this was in the 1970s and the leader of that particular movement sadly died which somewhat undermined his credibility.

The ideas are out there, the practical application of them is the stumbling block.

Ever heard of arrested puberty? Teenage anorexics who start out before puberty are well-known to have a completely arrested puberty, or, at the very least, delay it, both due to the continuous loss of weight, the presence of amenorrhea (no menses), hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction, and the decreased output of growth hormone that results. Okay so I’m just talking in very technical terms here, but, really, many anorexics actually develop the disorder because they are afraid of growing up, either mentally or physically or both. Maturation also has to do with this, considering it’s just an extension of puberty. (Even after puberty, becoming very lean can decrease the body’s output of sexual hormones=which means lower sex drive, amenorrhea again, etc…) Therefore, puberty can also be changed or delayed.

Aging can also be completely reversed, or at least significantly delayed, when certain factors are present. Currently there is no scientific known way to be physically immortal (ha!), but, personally, with all the knowledge I’ve gained about delaying aging, I really do believe that eventually we’ll get to a point where it will be possible to live hundreds (or even thousands?!) of years and consider it totally normal. (That is, of course, considering humanty doesn’t destroy itself before that lol.)

You know, there is a very popular saying of Buddha, that goes like this: “There is no way to Happiness. Happiness is the Way.” (I do not agree fully–I do believe that there IS a way to happiness, however, it’s still the way.)

A person who is already happy (regardless of life’s conditions) is more likely to become successful, confident, and healthy. An unhappy person seeking success and health, and ultimately happiness, will have a much harder time getting there, in particular if his or her unhappiness gets IN the way.

Just my 2 cents. I did not finish reading your article, but perhaps I’ll come back, finish reading, and comment again later. Peace!