Staying young in old age : a moral defense of anti-aging research

Abstract

This paper argues that continuing, or perhaps even increasing, our focus on anti-aging research is morally permissible. The crux of this moral defense revolves around showing that there is no decisive moral reason for why we ought not to interfere with the process of aging to bring forth an anti-aging model of life. In fact, there is value to be found in an anti-aging model of life, which stems from disvalue in the process of aging. Some crucial questions discussed are: What are the possible consequences of interfering with the process of aging? Should these consequences deter us from undertaking anti-aging research? Are there moral reasons against the act of interference with the process of aging itself? Is there value in the process of aging?