"The first immortal human beings are living among us today. You might be one of them. There are men and women alive today who may well be able to live for centuries, perhaps even extend their life spans indefinitely. For them, death will not be inevitable. The immortals will not age. They will not become feeble and sickly. Ageing will be stopped, even reversed. You may be young and vigorous forever."

       These words are not from a prophet; neither are they taken from the Scriptures; rather, these are the predictions made by Dr. Ben Bova in his book IMMORTALITY, How Science Is Extending Your Life Span—And Changing the World. Bold as these claims maybe to most— even to some scientists—Dr. Bova believes the inevitability of human physical immortality as a byproduct of the current strides made by science —especially in the field of genetic engineering. Even though some experts raised doubts to the possibility of human physical immortality, Dr. Bova was quick to point out how the so called experts have been wrong in the past (i.e. airplane, manned flight to the moon, nuclear power). He was also not modest about the fulfillment of other predictions which he made in the past.

       In the future, he says, man will finally be able to escape death from old age. Just because human beings have always died does not mean that they always will die. Death will become an option not an inevitability. So what will bring about this human physical immortality?

       Several avenues toward immortality have been mentioned: telomerase, MORF4 (Mortality Factor from human chromosome number 4), human growth hormone (hGH), organ regeneration, cryonics and nanomachines.

Let's take a look at some of them:

Societal implications

       Will science be able to extend human life indefinitely? Can man finally gain eternal life through his own efforts? Some feel that it is only a matter of time; while others answer with a resounding no. And this is not the first time scientific efforts like these have met strong opposition. Political and religious figures have expressed their fears on the consequences this will have on society. Already there are questions posed on the social, ethical, and religious issues which may arise because of these developments.

       The fact that many, out of fear, have lobbied against the furtherance of this scientific endeavor is an indirect confirmation of the possibility of extending human life considerably—maybe even indefinitely. Even the Scriptures tell us that "nothing they [man] plan to do will be impossible for them" (Genesis 11:6). And a few individuals like Dr. Ben Bova feel that the point wherein science will be able to achieve such a feat is inevitably near.

       There is absolutely no question as to whether people need to live forever or not. Nobody wants to die. It is man’s nature to want to continue to exist; to live a long, healthy, and happy life. Isn't existence more basic than food, shelter, and clothing? After all, doesn't the Scripture say, "is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?"(Matthew 6:25)

       So should people start looking to science for eternal life? As Marvin Cetron, in his book Cheating Death co-written with Owen Davies, puts it, "will religion still have something to offer people whose salvation is as near as the local pharmacy?"

Truly Immortal        Will religion become a relic from the past; now that science has looked into the very core of what religion is offering? Will the future be characterized by people going to the pharmacy rather than their local congregations? Will eternal life become just another commodity item?        Extending life span indefinitely is one thing; while making one truly immortal is another. Undoubtedly, man may be able to discover a way to extend human life considerably. But can man through science give us true eternal life?        For man to be truly immortal he must not only survive time and resist disease, but he must also be indestructible. Man can still die from accidents, war, famine, pestilence, and disease. To this, science can see no answer. Nowhere in the foreseeable future. And probably never.        For as long as man remains physical he will never be truly immortal. Man, through his own efforts, will never escape death. Because death came as a result of man's sin (Romans 5:12). Man should tremble because there is "One who can destroy both soul and body" (Matthew 10:28). Moreover, the Scriptures speak of a time when the heavens, the earth, and everything in it— will be destroyed by fire: "that day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in heat" (2 Peter 3:12). There is no capsule available in the local pharmacy which can save man from that.        There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to live long. In fact, it is good for man to desire such a thing. But he has to know where to look. He has to realize what are in his powers to do and what are not. The One True God who is in heaven offers true eternal life. A life not subject to hunger, pain, ageing, and death.

       Immortality is not only an issue of time, but also an issue of composition. Man must change in substance, from flesh—which is perishable—to spirit—which is imperishable, to gain eternal life. "For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality."(1 Corinthians 15:53)

       True immortality can only come from God—through his Son Jesus; and "to those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, he will give eternal life." (Romans 2:7) AG