Live to 120? Poll finds skepticism about research to extend life span, few want to pass 100

WASHINGTON – Ninety birthdays maybe, but not 120: Americans hope to stretch life expectancy another decade or so, but they’re ambivalent about a fountain of youth.

Scientists are researching ways to slow the aging process, creating treatments that might one day let people live far longer. It works in some laboratory animals, although there’s no way to know if it ever will work for people.

But with interest in the field growing, the Pew Research Center explored public attitudes, and found most Americans — 56 per cent — wouldn’t want a treatment that let them live to 120.

Tuesday’s survey found most people consider the ideal life span between 79 and 100 years. The median was age 90. Americans born today can expect to live, on average, to nearly 79.