Most Reject Idea of 120-Year Life Span

Would you want to live to 120? Most Americans say no, according to a new poll. The Pew Research Center did the survey. About 2,000 adults were interviewed. The group was balanced to reflect the U.S. population. People were asked if they would want a treatment that let them live to age 120. About 56% said no. But 65% thought that most people would want such a treatment. So what’s the ideal life span? Ninety was the median age chosen by poll respondents. Just over half thought living to 120 would be bad for society. They thought it might strain natural resources. Some also said the treatment most likely would be available only to the rich. The average life expectancy of a baby born in the United States today is 78.7. It’s about 81 years for a girl, 76.2 for a boy. Research has found ways to extend the life span for some lab animals.