JS> An alien race that was similar to our own, but several thousands of
 JS> years more advanced, would certainly have a lifespan greater than our
 JS> own. Even the last 300 years has seen our average lifespan double
 JS> from 40 years to 75. 300 years may be a reasonable life span in a
 JS> thousand years or so.
I think you may be referring to average life expectancy, rather than
average lifespan.  Average life expectancy is influenced by factors
such as improved medical techniques, disease prevention, etc.  I was
taught in a population class that average lifespan hasn't changed all
that much.  If that is true, then there has always been "old men", it's
just that most men were killed by somthing before they got old.
Another common misconception is that of continuing human evolution. I
would think that for us as a species to change there must be some traits
which are "selected" and passed down to our progeny.  The way it looks to
me, we are in the process of devolution, since many more debilitating
traits are being passed down, due to improved medicine.  One example I
can think of is diabetes.  I see the current developments in gene 
technology as contributing to a reversal of our stalled "development".
Developments in gene technology, combined with chemistry, may result in
a greatly increased lifespan.  In fact, there was somthing on the news 
last month about just such a new discovery; i.e., the "aging" gene.
Thanks for your continuing input on this echo, I have enjoyed the cross-
postings you collect which allow me to read about UFO news from around
the world.
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