Wed Feb 26 11:18:53 UTC 2025: ## Billionaire’s Quest for Immortality Raises Ethical Questions: Is Longer Life Always Better?
**Indianapolis, IN (February 26, 2025)** – The pursuit of life extension, fueled by wealthy tech entrepreneurs and billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Larry Ellison, is raising significant ethical concerns, according to Richard Gunderman, Chancellor’s Professor at Indiana University. While individuals like Bryan Johnson, featured in the Netflix documentary “Don’t Die,” aggressively pursue methods such as daily pill regimens and blood transfusions to extend their lifespans, Gunderman argues that the focus should shift from longevity to a life of purpose and contribution.
Gunderman’s commentary, republished from *The Conversation*, examines the history of life extension efforts, tracing it back to the 1970s and 80s when life extension expert Durk Pearson’s book became a bestseller. Despite Pearson’s efforts and the current investments in senolytics and human growth hormone, Gunderman notes that neither Pearson nor his partner lived exceptionally long lives, raising questions about the efficacy of such methods.
The article delves into the ethical implications, referencing Cicero’s *On Aging* to counter common complaints about aging. Cicero argued that age brings wisdom and experience, that physical vigor depends on discipline, and that the pleasures of mind and character outweigh sensual gratifications. Gunderman expands on this by questioning whether extending the lives of individuals like Stalin would outweigh the potential benefits of a longer-lived Einstein. He highlights the limited resources and the potential harm to future generations if current life extension efforts are successful.
Ultimately, Gunderman proposes that the real challenge isn’t living longer but living a life of service to others. He concludes by quoting Susan B. Anthony: “The older I get, the greater power I seem to have to help the world; I am like a snowball – the further I am rolled, the more I gain.” The focus, Gunderman insists, should not be on extending life, but on maximizing its impact.
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