X-Message-Number: 22337
Date: Tue, 12 Aug 2003 19:17:01 -0700 (PDT)
From: Michael Hartl <>
Subject: NY Times editorial

Hello all,

Nicholas Kristof recently wrote a New York Times Op-Ed
piece
(http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/08/12/nyt.kristof/index.html)
addressing the prospect of immortality through
biotechnology.  While he seemed generally sympathetic
to the cause of life extension, he ended on a strange
and somber note, citing "the wisdom of Odysseus, who
was offered immortality by a luscious goddess,
Calypso, but turned her down to grow old and die with
his wife, Penelope."  (Those who read the article will
undoubtedly notice the many other errors and fallacies
as well.)  I wrote the following letter to the editor
in response, which may be of some interest to readers
of this list:

-----

In his recent Op-Ed column "Where is thy sting?" (Aug.
12), Nicholas Kristof cites a possible argument
against  using biotechnology to increase human
lifespan: the "wisdom of Odysseus," i.e., Odysseus's
refusal of Calypso's offer of immortality so that he
could die with his wife Penelope.  Alas, this "wisdom"
is based on a false analogy, for the Calypso of
biotechnology offers immortality not only to Odysseus,
but to Penelope as well.  The hope of life
extensionists is not to become unfortunate immortals
who watch their loved ones age and die, but rather for
us all -- husbands, wives, family, friends, Op-Ed
columnists -- to live together in a state of perpetual
health.  To turn down that offer seems unwise indeed.
                                                      
                         
Sincerely,
                                                      
                         
Michael D. Hartl, Ph.D.

-----

=====
Michael Hartl
http://www.michaelhartl.com/

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