[mensetmanusman]

If there were no deaths the knowledge would be in stasis due to the nature of what gets funded and the power structure inherent under limited resources.

[stephc_int13]

I think this can be debated, but I am not as pessimist. In any case, the whole dynamic is hard to predict.

The whole society would change, including many roles and structures.

[6aagaba]

Check out Max Planck's principle of "Science progresses one funeral at a time"