Scientist says: Immortality only 20 years away

Scientist Ray Kurzweil claims, humans could become immortal, in as little as 20 years' time; through nanotechnology, and an increased understanding, of how the body works.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/6217676/Immortality-only-20-years-away-says-scientist.html

9-24-09

The 61-year-old American, who has predicted new technologies arriving before, says, our understanding of genes and computer technology, is accelerating at an incredible rate.

He says theoretically, at the rate our understanding is increasing, nanotechnologies, capable of replacing many of our vital organs, could be available in 20 years time.

Mr Kurzweil adds, that although his claims may seem far-fetched; artificial pancreases and neural implants, are already available.

Mr Kurzweil calls his theory, the Law of Accelerating Returns. Writing in
The Sun, Mr Kurzweil said: "I and many other scientists now believe, that in around 20 years, we will have the means, to reprogramme our bodies' stone-age software, so we can halt, then reverse, ageing. Then nanotechnology, will let us live for ever.

"Ultimately, nanobots will replace blood cells, and do their work, thousands of times more effectively.
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"Within 25 years, we will be able to do an Olympic sprint for 15 minutes, without taking a breath; or go scuba-diving for four hours, without oxygen.

"Heart-attack victims – who haven't taken advantage of widely available bionic hearts – will calmly drive to the doctors, for a minor operation, as their blood bots keep them alive.

"Nanotechnology will extend our mental capacities to such an extent, that we will be able to write books within minutes.

"If we want to go into virtual-reality mode, nanobots will shut down brain signals, and take us wherever we want to go. And in our daily lives, hologram like figures will pop in our brain, to explain what is happening.

Extraordinary nanotechnological secrets should allow us, according to Kurzweil, to replace our kidneys, livers, hearts and, our minds; with functioning vital organs, made by human hands.

"So we can look forward to a world, where humans become cyborgs, with artificial limbs and organs."