system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: What causes us to age and what would have to be done to prevent aging?

I've been wondering about this topic for quite a while now. Especially after hearing about the "Singularity" theory, which says that the newer generations are basically living forever already because anti-aging medicine would develop faster than we could age.
gpt
When your cells split in half to make more of themselves, the ends of the DNA get damaged a little bit. It's a bit like tearing paper in half: each time you do it, the chance you'll get a perfect split is lower and lower. Eventually, the DNA gets damaged to the point where it cannot transmit it's information as accurately, or perhaps at all. This causes our organs to degrade and no longer fill their purpose.

As for anti-aging, it is possible, to some extent. Unlike normal cells, reproductive cells (sperm, eggs) do *not* get damaged when reproducing. This is because the reproductive organs produce a special chemical that repairs the ends of the DNA, thus making sure every cell has a good set. This idea could be applied to the DNA of all our cells, essentially preventing us from decaying. We don't know enough about it yet to really utilize it, though.