Americans, on average, now live into their seventies, whereas for the majority of humans who have ever lived, life expectancy at birth was only about twenty.[91] Further improvements are possible. If we could somehow cure all cancers, says epidemiologist Donald Redelmeier, this would increase life expectancy by another 3.5 years.[92] Eliminating heart disease could get us an extra twelve, according to Leonard Hayflick from UCSF.

Americans, on average, now live into their seventies, whereas for the majority of humans who have ever lived, life expectancy at birth was only about twenty.[91] Further improvements are possible. If we could somehow cure all cancers, says epidemiologist Donald Redelmeier, this would increase life expectancy by another 3.5 years.[92] Eliminating heart disease could get us an extra twelve, according to Leonard Hayflick from UCSF.