Overview of Age Retardation
Many people today believe that age is just a number. Aging is the total years you have lived. There are in fact many different definitions of aging that people today do not associate with the added number of years to one’s life. Not to sound morbid but aging is one’s body and mind starting to decline and fail them. A more accurate definition of aging would be: “aging is inevitable yet modifiable. It is usually defined in terms of the gradual, insidious and progressive decline in structure and function (including molecular, cells, tissues, organs) of an organism/individual” (Mumbai, 2013). Who wants to think of their life as a downhill battle? For this reason alone researchers who are interested in the field of trans-humanism have begun to explore the world of age retardation.
Age retardation is a controversial transhumanism topic. The process of changing ones genes to allow for a slower aging process will have both advantages and disadvantages; however the latter seems to be the more prominent of the two. Currently we live in a society with a life expectancy under a hundred years. Puberty hits in females anywhere between the age of 8 and 16 and males between the ages of 12 and 18. In the proposed retardation of the cells that control genes puberty will not occur until later in life, a time that we refer to as “middle aged” (Council, 2003). Because of this reproduction age will be pushed back along with aging factors. Although slowing down the age process appears harmless and advantageous, there are also many health concerns, especially when a female wishes to reproduce.
Age retardation is a controversial transhumanism topic. The process of changing ones genes to allow for a slower aging process will have both advantages and disadvantages; however the latter seems to be the more prominent of the two. Currently we live in a society with a life expectancy under a hundred years. Puberty hits in females anywhere between the age of 8 and 16 and males between the ages of 12 and 18. In the proposed retardation of the cells that control genes puberty will not occur until later in life, a time that we refer to as “middle aged” (Council, 2003). Because of this reproduction age will be pushed back along with aging factors. Although slowing down the age process appears harmless and advantageous, there are also many health concerns, especially when a female wishes to reproduce.
concerns involving age retardation
Although the age retardation process can extend the human life span as well as delaying puberty, it will also possibly cause more health problems, and create an overpopulated world. In theory puberty being pushed later into one’s life seems like it would be a great thing. However there is a reason woman in their 50s have high risk pregnancies in today’s world. Their DNA located in their ovaries in the form of eggs has degenerated. A woman produces her gametes (sex cells) while in gestation and only has a finite number of eggs held in their ovaries.. Whereas a man can produce millions of sperm cells a day, women have no way of creating more viable eggs. These are not rapidly reproducing cells as every other cell is in a body. Over time the eggs will become less viable and having a lasting pregnancy will be with great difficulty. Waiting for long periods of time to fertilize a woman’s egg will create more risk of a child born with handicaps. The older a cell is the more risk one is giving their child to be mentally or physically challenged.
Also we are already facing an overpopulation of the world with healthcare providers overwhelmed with patients. Should we slow down aging less people will be dying since the life span will be extended. Therefore the population will be rising even more and there are not enough medical professionals to account for all the attention that is needed. Overpopulation will lead the current population to not receive the necessary care to stay healthy. Therefore the whole idea of age retardation would be counterproductive because we would not have the resources for the idea to be successful and informative.
One of the main concerns of the age retardation process is an issue of autonomy where extending the life span is concerned (Pijnenburg, 2007). Because researchers are extending life by manipulating the cells there is much debate over one’s moral code. This can be compared to the extending of life in a hospital with a patient on a bypass machine of being fed through a feeding tube. Some people see these types of treatments of drastic ways to preserve the human life and it is therefore debated by those who believe it should be done, and those who believe that if the patient cannot survive on their own strength than they are already gone. For instance, Jehovah’s witnesses do not accept blood transfusions. This has to do with the “purity” of their blood. It can be assumed that an anti-aging process such as age retardation would also fall under a process that they would not consent to. If this is the case then how can there be a viable society when half the population would like to receive the treatment, and half would not? These are all aspects that need to be covered should this research continue on.
Also we are already facing an overpopulation of the world with healthcare providers overwhelmed with patients. Should we slow down aging less people will be dying since the life span will be extended. Therefore the population will be rising even more and there are not enough medical professionals to account for all the attention that is needed. Overpopulation will lead the current population to not receive the necessary care to stay healthy. Therefore the whole idea of age retardation would be counterproductive because we would not have the resources for the idea to be successful and informative.
One of the main concerns of the age retardation process is an issue of autonomy where extending the life span is concerned (Pijnenburg, 2007). Because researchers are extending life by manipulating the cells there is much debate over one’s moral code. This can be compared to the extending of life in a hospital with a patient on a bypass machine of being fed through a feeding tube. Some people see these types of treatments of drastic ways to preserve the human life and it is therefore debated by those who believe it should be done, and those who believe that if the patient cannot survive on their own strength than they are already gone. For instance, Jehovah’s witnesses do not accept blood transfusions. This has to do with the “purity” of their blood. It can be assumed that an anti-aging process such as age retardation would also fall under a process that they would not consent to. If this is the case then how can there be a viable society when half the population would like to receive the treatment, and half would not? These are all aspects that need to be covered should this research continue on.
Support of the Age-Retardation Process
The age of a person does not strictly come from the number of years they have lived, or how close to death they are. It is also a maturity issue and a functional issue. Although people seem to be healthy a one point, functionality decreases over time. For instance loss or vision and/or hearing, slower reflexes, etc. The age retardation process will delay this degeneration to overall elongate the life span of the human population. This will be in use as a new anti-aging technique. As described by “Age Retardation: Scientific Possibilities and Moral Challenges” by President’s Council on Bioethics at Georgetown University, not only with the human life span be elongated by age retardation, but humans will also have a later reproduction period. Humans will no longer hit puberty in their teenage years, they will hit it in their late 40s early 50s (Council, 2003). There is no doubt some women feel their period to be a hassle each month, and given the chance they would trade the presence of it to later in life rather than what can be the embarrassing years of high school.
Not only will the age retardation process slow down aging but it will in turn help the older generation (geriatric care) with fighting disease and surviving (Pijnenburg, 2007). Since the cells will be degenerating at a slower rate there will be more time for preventive care and to try treatments that may work for different individual patients. Ultimately the cells will be dividing at the same pace as they are right now in order to sustain life, but there will be the anti-aging mutation that will be reproducing, if you will, as well. This is a huge development for the world of Alzheimer’s where the patient loses cognitively. Forgetfulness and loss of memory greatly impact an Alzheimer’s patient and they suffer from weaker immune systems. This is mainly in geriatric patients unless the patient suffers from early onset. Age retardation can slow down the progress of the disease and give the patient more lucid time with the family. Also since the development of time will be slower doctors can do thousands of brain scans to track the disease and possibly come up with ways to treat this incurable fatality.
Not only could this be a huge advancement in areas such as Alzheimer’s disease that takes over the mind of those who are normally advancing to an elderly age, but it can also leave room open to investigate farther into treatment for cancer, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, etc. These diseases affect a bulk of the human population every day and given then anti-aging process that has a retardation effect on the somatic cells, researchers are given a vaster amount of time to successfully treat a patient.
Not only will the age retardation process slow down aging but it will in turn help the older generation (geriatric care) with fighting disease and surviving (Pijnenburg, 2007). Since the cells will be degenerating at a slower rate there will be more time for preventive care and to try treatments that may work for different individual patients. Ultimately the cells will be dividing at the same pace as they are right now in order to sustain life, but there will be the anti-aging mutation that will be reproducing, if you will, as well. This is a huge development for the world of Alzheimer’s where the patient loses cognitively. Forgetfulness and loss of memory greatly impact an Alzheimer’s patient and they suffer from weaker immune systems. This is mainly in geriatric patients unless the patient suffers from early onset. Age retardation can slow down the progress of the disease and give the patient more lucid time with the family. Also since the development of time will be slower doctors can do thousands of brain scans to track the disease and possibly come up with ways to treat this incurable fatality.
Not only could this be a huge advancement in areas such as Alzheimer’s disease that takes over the mind of those who are normally advancing to an elderly age, but it can also leave room open to investigate farther into treatment for cancer, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, etc. These diseases affect a bulk of the human population every day and given then anti-aging process that has a retardation effect on the somatic cells, researchers are given a vaster amount of time to successfully treat a patient.
Future study: manipulating telomerase to slow aging
In conclusion although the age retardation process seems like a flawless plan that will allow a human to live longer, allow doctors to treat more diseases effectively, etc. In order for the process to work in today’s society and not harm the biology of our future offspring more research has to be done. Perhaps they could change a woman’s DNA so that they can make eggs outside of the womb and throughout life to create more viable offspring. Scientists could also find a way to advance the life span little by little so that the population does not become an enormous amount. This will give more time for the medical field to catch up and train personnel. Not only are the biological risks a concern but all societies have to be willing to work together. Should only some people consent to age retardation society as a whole will be mixed matched. Those who are aging at a slower rate will have great difficulty if they wish to procreate with someone who is not, and so on and so forth. Overall the idea of age retardation seems like there could be many advantages, the researchers behind it should just fine tune some of the glitches. However there could be many great advances in the treatment of disease should this research continue.
references
Bailey, R. (2003, April 9). You shouldn't live so long. Retrieved from
http://reason.com/archives/2003/04/09/you-shouldnt-live-so-long
Council, P. (2003, March). Age retardation: Scientific possibilities and moral challenges
Retrieved from http://bioethics.georgetown.edu/pcbe/background/age_retardation.html
Hildt, E. (2009, June 12). Med health care philos. Retrieved from –
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18668344
Pijnenburg, M. (2007, October). Journal of medical ethics. Retrieved from –
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2652797/
Mumbai, M. (2013, February 21). Antiaging medicine and research, world antiaging network &
medical wellness association usa brings indomedicon antiaging, lifespan & integrative
medicine conference india . Retrieved from http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/2/prweb10450797.htm
Pictures from:
http://skincare4beauty.com/anti-aging-beauty.htm
http://www.telomerance.com/anti-aging/93/telomerase-enzyme-what-is-it/
http://www.medibid.com/blog/2012/11/what-is-anti-aging-medicine/
http://globalpoliticalawakening.blogspot.com/2010/11/anti-ageing-pill-step-closer-as.html
http://reason.com/archives/2003/04/09/you-shouldnt-live-so-long
Council, P. (2003, March). Age retardation: Scientific possibilities and moral challenges
Retrieved from http://bioethics.georgetown.edu/pcbe/background/age_retardation.html
Hildt, E. (2009, June 12). Med health care philos. Retrieved from –
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18668344
Pijnenburg, M. (2007, October). Journal of medical ethics. Retrieved from –
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2652797/
Mumbai, M. (2013, February 21). Antiaging medicine and research, world antiaging network &
medical wellness association usa brings indomedicon antiaging, lifespan & integrative
medicine conference india . Retrieved from http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/2/prweb10450797.htm
Pictures from:
http://skincare4beauty.com/anti-aging-beauty.htm
http://www.telomerance.com/anti-aging/93/telomerase-enzyme-what-is-it/
http://www.medibid.com/blog/2012/11/what-is-anti-aging-medicine/
http://globalpoliticalawakening.blogspot.com/2010/11/anti-ageing-pill-step-closer-as.html
University of the Sciences in Philadelphia
Writing 102-04
Celeste Massari