If you had to choose between reproducing and dieing or not reproducing and living which would you choose? Biologically you may say plants and animals are driven to progenerate.  And certainly plants do not seem to have the ability to choose not to reproduce. Forget all that. For this question lets assume several things:

1. You have the ability to choose not to reproduce.

2. You know if you do reproduce you will die.

3. You know the act of reproduction is one of the most incredible acts of pleasure and stimulation you could ever experience.

So would you choose to produce offspring at the expense of your ownlife and to experience the act of procreation, or would you forgo the experience of a lifetime, sacrifice your ability to produce any offspring all so you could live longer? And no I am not saying that if you choose not to reproduce that you will live forever and no you cannot choose to delay the act. Assume once you choose not to reproduce you never can.

Personally I would choose to reproduce. Purely for selfish reasons as well. I want my dna to continue evolving and spreading. Sure I may not live that long and may have some regrets, but I take the stance that my genes are still out there so some small part of me is still alive.

 This whole line of thought comes from the following article:

Giant palm found on Madagascar flowers itself to death

Basically when it flowers and fruits the whole process requires every last bit of nutrients and energy the plant has accumulated up to that point and is subsequently left as nothing more then a dried up husk of itself. Apparently it can be seen from google earth. I will see if I can find it and post it here or if you find it first let me know.