Would you relish the idea of still working at the age of 90, or starting another family when you turn 100?

Well all this could be possible, as some scientists predict that medical advances mean children born today will be able to live to 130.

New York physicist Michio Kaku bases his theory on developments like therapies for heart disease and cancer, methods to slow down the ageing process and an almost limitless supply of human organs. Such advances can extend life by 50 years, he says.

He even thinks immortality is possible.

The current average lifespan for people in the West is 75 for men and 79 for women

Do you want to live forever?

But some say older age will mean housing shortages, over-population and fiercer competition for jobs.

Ethics teacher David Cook says bonds between parents and children would break down, as it would be possible for people to raise two or three entirely different families.

"I do not see how this would be a benefit either to society or individuals anywhere in the world," he said.

However Professor Gordon Wilcock of Bristol University is one of the optimists.

"If you can extend life to 130 years and maintain health, it could only be exciting. I'd love to have more years to spend with my wife," he said.

What would you do if you had an extra 50 years to live?

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