"Death is a part of life" .... So was, until very recently in human history, polio, 30-year lifespans, dying from an infected hangnail, death at childbirth, etc etc...

"Death" isn't one thing, it always has a cause, that is frequently some particular disease state. I assume you aren't making the argument that we should stop trying to cure cancer, or heart disease, or anything else like that? Should we throw up our hands and say "gee whiz death's inevitable, no penicillin for you"?