Each individual exists primarily and most fundamentally as a biological entity. Thus, in terms of the ideology, life-extension science is paramount because that seeks to enhance and extend the viability of the body. This is the subject of Chapter II of the Manual.

Curiously, this obvious point attracts much more controversy than any other issue. So a brief commentary is warranted. The vast majority of people believe that the Body is a vessel for a more primary spiritual entity called the Soul, which, after the body dies, returns to a non-physical realm. This is not held to be true by any standard type of proof but rather is sustained by belief and affirmation. In Judaism, this spiritual doctrine is not explicit, and if there is a salvation doctrine, it is not part of orthodoxy. In the permutations of Judaism (i.e., Christianity and Islam), the soul is tested in the body and then goes to a heaven or hell depending on how well one conducts his or her life. In Hinduism, the soul keeps reincarnating in bodies until it becomes sufficiently refined to escape the cycles of birth and death and can go on to heaven. This subject is a lengthy and inter- esting conversation which is better conducted elsewhere. Besides, the methods of spiritual refinement have been well worked out in each particular theology so there is not much to do here in that regard. However, in all spiritual systems, the perfection of the body is held to be a Virtue and a desirable aim. So, there is not any real conflict between our focus on the body and the tenants of the religions

The particular strategy for our approach in the area of life-extension science is reviewed in the Synopsis and does not have to be reiterated here. What might be useful is to emphasize is the ultimate aim of life-extension and the rationale for that ultimate aim.

If you were to take a photograph of yourself at about the age of 20, tape it to a mirror, and then compare that photo with the image of you present self in the mirror, the difference which you would see represents a change in biological structure - cell number, rate, and quality. Assuming that you are over 40 years of age, your "structural form" is disintegrating; and that disintegration (ageing) is the cause of the inevitable decline in form and function which will follow. It is the cause of the chronic diseases. And ultimately, this ageing process(es) leads to senility and limits the relatively short, natural life-span to not more than 120 years.

When one evaluate the course of life as a trajectory of vitality, you see the four stages, as depicted below.

In all humans, biological vitality is optimal between the chronological ages of 15-30 (technically it is 15-25). Concurrently, if the incidence of disease is plotted by age category, it is demonstrated what everyone knows by common experience - i.e., that between the ages of 15-25 disease is virtually nil or, if it does occur, then medicine is very effective and recovery is rapid. Thus, the ultimate objective of life-extension science is the reconstruction of biological systems back to that condition which one had at about age 20. Given the actuarial death rate that occurs at that level of biological vitality, the life-span potential of such an individual would be open-ended.

This objective will appear to be science fiction; and so it is - presently. However, most of the inventions which are part of your ordinary life were science fiction not more that 50 to 100 years ago.

Although our present effort will be devoted mostly to "Phase I" life-extension through disease prevention, health improvement, and the proper application of medicine, it is important to keep in mind the ultimate objective, which is the invention of technologies to reverse and control ageing. Without that kind of a technology, the other efforts will be of only marginal value.

Some believe, including ourselves, that all of the basic biological science to accomplish such regeneration already exists and is awaiting its translation into technical applications.