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Strong and weak lifespan extension: what is most feasible and likely?
Author(s) -
Lucke Jayne C,
Hall Wayne
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
australasian journal on ageing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1741-6612
pISSN - 1440-6381
DOI - 10.1111/j.1741-6612.2006.00150.x
Subject(s) - life extension , life expectancy , extension (predicate logic) , risk analysis (engineering) , process (computing) , expectancy theory , longevity , psychology , computer science , gerontology , medicine , social psychology , environmental health , operating system , population , programming language
Recent advances in biomedical science indicate that it may eventually be possible to intervene in the biological process of human ageing. This paper overviews the current state of the science of lifespan extension and promising future directions. It is uncertain whether ‘strong’ lifespan extension – the extension of human life beyond the maximum 122 years so far observed – will become a reality. It is more likely that cumulative effects of numerous scientific and biomedical advances in the treatment of common disease will produce ‘weak’ lifespan extension – the extension of average life expectancy. The practical application of molecular, genetic and nanomaterials research may also lead to advances in life expectancy. It is not too early to begin to consider the policy implications of either form of lifespan extension.