Public opinion

Life extension is a controversial topic due to fear of overpopulation and possible effects on society.^[10] Religious people are no more likely to oppose life extension than the unaffiliated,^[11] though some variation exists between religious denominations. Blacks and Hispanics are more likely to support life extension than white people.^[11] Biogerontologist Aubrey De Grey counters the overpopulation critique by pointing out that the therapy could postpone or eliminate menopause, allowing women to space out their pregnancies over more years and thus decreasing the yearly population growth rate.^[12] Moreover, the philosopher and futurist Max More contends that, given current and projected global fertility rates, superlongevity would be unlikely to contribute to overpopulation.^[10]

A Spring 2013 Pew Research poll in the United States found that 38% of Americans would want life extension treatments, and 56% would reject it. However it also found that 68% believed most people would want it and that only 4 percent consider an "ideal lifespan" to be more than 120 years.^[11]