Can Science Cure Death?
Popular Mechanics South Africa|January/February 2022
It sure looks like it.
By Jacqueline Detwiler, Photography and Illustrations by Teekay Name, AlanThornton/Getty Images, Coclaygo/Getty, Alana Paterson
Can Science Cure Death?

NICK SARAEV IS 25 YEARS OLD; FAR TOO YOUNG, IT WOULD SEEM, to be thinking about death. And yet, since he turned 21, he has taken steps to prevent the infirmities of old age. Every day, he takes 2 000 mg of fish oil and 4 000 IU of vitamin D to help prevent heart disease and other ailments. He steams or pressure-cooks most of his meals because, he says, charring meats creates chemicals that may increase the risk of cancer. And in the winter, he keeps the humidity of his home at 35 per cent, because dry air chaps his skin and makes him cough, both of which he considers manifestations of chronic inflammation, which may be bad for longevity.

Based on the life expectancies of young men in North America, Saraev, a freelance software engineer based near Vancouver, believes he has about 55 years before he really has to think about ageing. Given the exponential advances in microprocessors and smartphones in his lifetime, he insists the biotech industry will figure out a solution by then. For this reason, Saraev, like any number of young, optimistic, tech-associated people, believes that if he takes the correct preventative steps now, he might well live forever.

On Medium, Nick Saraev refers to his life-extension habits as 'practical immortality'.

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