GMAT Essays (AWA)

Analyze Argument:

"Each generation of Americans has lived longer that the ones preceding it, as the national life expectancy has approached 80 years old in recent years. The progress of medical technology shows no sign of abating. Therefore, we can confidently predict that most children born in America in the next decade will live past the age of ninety."


This arguments states that because life expectancy has increased consistently, due to advances in medical technology, we can expect the next generation of Americans to live past the age of ninety. The conclusion is based on the premise that medical technology will continue to advance over the next ninety years. However medical technology is not the only factor in life expectancy. Diet, and lifestyle choices both play important roles alongside medical treatment. For example, the obesity rate in America continues to rise. While I do expect to see many of the next generation of Americans to live past ninety, it would be too optimistic to assume that the average life expectancy would increase without taking into account other factors.
The first thing I would like to discuss is how modern changes in lifestyle may negatively impact life expectancy in America. Over the past thirty years technology has significantly impacted the way we live. Electronic devices such as the PCs, tablets, and gaming consoles provide a wide array of cheap and easy entertainment. More sedentary lifestyles will often lead to worse health. In addition, many schools have had to cut athletic programs that would offset the negative effects of lounging on electronic devices. While these trends may change, they are currently promoting behaviors that will lead to worse health and a lower life expectancy.
It is also important to examine how diets continue to change. In many way America is heading in two different directions. Healthy organic foods have become a trend as chains like Whole Foods expand into new towns. Consumers are choosing better alternatives than the previous generation of Americans who grew up on canned soup. There's no question that these consumers will benefit from their choices. Unfortunately choosing healthy food can often be a costly choice some cannot afford. A large percentage of American families have fallen below the poverty line over the past decade. Those children are being raised on fast food, and are often underfed. In those cases it's probable that their life expectancy will suffer as a result.
Finally it is important to address how medical technology will advance throughout the next nine decades. Surely we will continue to see progress, but not necessarily at the rate we have seen in the past. New drugs often cost a billion dollars to develop. As it becomes more and more difficult to develop new drugs, we will likely see fewer companies enter the medical arena. In addition, many Americans are becoming skeptical of medical technologies. One example is the use of vaccines, which many parents are choosing not to use on their kids. Despite many of the difficult challenges, medical technology will progress but we shouldn't assume each generation will get an extra ten years of life expectancy.
It's clear that modern medicine will continue to advance, but this doesn't mean it will save Americans from living unhealthy lives. As we continue to use technology that promotes a lazy lifestyle, this may offset the gains medical technology provides. Some Americans will live much longer. Children who grow up learning about a health dies, and how to live a balanced life will live significantly longer. Unfortunately kids who are not given the same opportunities will likely learn bad habits and as a result their lifespan will suffer. At the end of the day there's no way of knowing for sure whether the average will continue to rise at the same pace as it has over the past century.