2059: Astonishing changes ahead in health, mind, bodies

By Dick Pelletier

      

    In the next 50 years, life extension experts predict that humanity will evolve into powerful bodies made from indestructible non-biological materials that automatically make repairs when damaged.

    Author Ray Kurzweil in The Singularity is Near, details how our bodies will change in the decades ahead. Today’s frail human body, "version 1.0" has a high failure rate (over 50 million died last year, most from age-related damages). Biotech and nanotech advances expected in the 2010s and 2020s promise a more durable "version 2.0" body immune to most sicknesses, including aging.

    This brings us to "version 3.0" expected by late 2030s – a remarkable mostly non-biological body boasting a zero failure rate. Even if a destructive accident were to occur with this futuristic body, experts say, advanced molecular nanotech and quantum computing systems could construct a new body with the patient's original consciousness and memories intact, allowing life to continue.

    Could this futuristic life-saving body be available in such a short time? There are many science and technology efforts underway today, especially in areas that increase human intelligence that suggest this optimistic dream could become reality by late 2030s.

    In his book, On Intelligence, author Jeff Hawkins describes how scientists will eventually build machines that use human-like pattern recognition and memories to mimic our intelligence.

    IBM recently launched a project to "reverse-engineer" the human brain, which could be completed in the 2020s. Some believe this state-of-the-art research will help scientists unravel the mysteries of consciousness and one day; program this elusive human trait into our machines.

    Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen hopes to map all of our neurons in his Brain Atlas venture, which will be made available free to researchers around the world.

    HHMI's Janelia Farm Campus is rounding up 300 of the world’s top neuroscientists to perform cutting-edge research. Initially, they hope to capture human thought at moment of conception.

    Success in these and other research efforts is expected to accelerate life extension efforts. During the 2010s, stem cell and genetic engineering therapies offer hope to repair aging bodies and restore them to a more youthful state. In the 2020s, medical nanotech promises to eliminate most sicknesses entirely.

    From 2035-to-2059, a few daring individuals will begin to add powerful non-biological materials to their bodies, and by late 2050s, most people will enjoy life in an intelligence-enhanced body that automatically repairs itself when damaged.

    Experts tell us that this vision could become reality in time to include many people alive today. The prime requisites for survival are to maintain the best health possible during today's struggling healthcare time and try to stay positive about your future.

    We will soon see overwhelming advances in sickness prevention and age reversal through gene therapies and nanotech breakthroughs. In the years ahead, most people will find themselves slowly "growing" into healthier bodies without the burden of today's age-related diseases.

    Of course, negative events could interrupt this optimistic journey. Terrorist-delivered WMDs, science accidents, or natural disasters might delay progress, or even bring civilization to an end. No one claims our "magical future" will be risk-free, but with much hope and positive thoughts, this amazing forward view of things to come could become your future.

This article appeared in various print publications and on-line blogs. Comments always welcome.