Authors: Daniel Callahan
Publish Date: 2009/03/31
Volume: 46, Issue: 3, Pages: 214-220
Abstract
The idea of radically extending average human life expectancy is an ancient one but for most of human history exceedingly utopian There is now however a revival of that idea with some scientists and others arguing that it is possible and desirable But the main problem with most of the life extension enthusiasm is that it is based almost entirely on the desire of some individuals to make it happen The social consequences of success of such a venture are however either ignored altogether or dismissed on the grounds that any problems can be dealt with In the end none of our present human and social problems would be helped by radically longer lives and no obvious social benefits have been advanced to support it
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