Medical scientists experimenting with life support?

Question

could doctors theoretically keep people alive on life support machines for hundreds of years? if they can keep brain-dead people alive with it, i don't see why not. if so, it could end up being a more reliable alternative to cryogenics for people who want to be revived in the future, where we would have the required technology.

cons:

-your physical form in the future would be ready to shatter, so i'm counting on futuristic assistaince with movement, vision, hearing, etc.

-too costly fuel-wise to allow the masses to use it

-ethics issues from creationists, as usual.

-people need to die.

even if you wouldn't use life support for that, could the machines be used to keep people alive for a long, long time? are they doing that now? you tell me.

Answer 1

Hmm..difficult choice to make if you asked me...

Answer 2

Hundreds of years? No, I wouldn't think it possible. From not moving your body would eventually wear down. Your muscles would lose their strength and eventually die, etc. However, there is also something called free-radicals that your body makes naturally. In theory, it is what causes aging. You can't stop this. It's sort of like Nature's fail-proof plan, cause you're meant to die eventually, and there's no escaping old age and death thereof. These free-radicals oxidize (like rust) but in theory, antioxidents (vitamin A, c, etc) fight this.

Answer 3

they're not doing it now cuz as you said, it's costly.  

Answer 4

As someone who has been on life support and lived to tell about it...  You do NOT want to come back after being on life support.  As long as there is certain brain activity, the patient knows everything on some level thats going on.  I have ptsd now because of it.  I NEVER want to go through that again.  And I was only on it for a lil over 2 weeks.  I cant imagine being on life support or in a vegetative state for years upon years.