[terran57]

A breakthrough in human life extension technologies could help alleviate the need to have more children to perpetuate the species. It is conceivable, as indicated in some research papers, that next century humans might be able to live past 100 with a high quality of life through advanced medical interventions.

Now, of course, we face great unknowns in how things will turn out in the future. So, living past 100 might be a moot point if society has broken down.

[zirgs]

But I don't want to live past 100 in an 80-90 year old's body. What's the point? Life extension only makes sense if we reverse aging somehow and stop it at around 25-30 years of age.

[Frost1x]

It's also worth noting that evolutionary biology tends to lag behind technology quite a bit so while reduced birth rates might be desirable for society as a whole, individuals may still have a natural urge to want to have children. Balancing that societal need with individuals desires might be a bit tricky. We're sort of on the opposite side of that fence right now with birth rates, so it's certainly possible things could just naturally align. I suspect declining birth rates right now aren't entirely due to individual desired choice, however.

[CrzyLngPwd]

I plan on living forever anyway.

It's going well so far.