Bioethical and social constructions of life extension and longevity

Abstract

This paper explores life span extension and longevity as one aspect of life course, focusing on the bioethical and social implications of the rise of longevity in modern societies. We juxtaposed Potter?s categorisation of types of survival with the opposing views about life extension. This ethical and ideological contrast is especially pro?nounced when it comes to human enhancement, which improves human capacities and functioning above and beyond the statistical norm of human health. In the medi?um and long term, these interventions would change not only the human species, but also social roles and relation?ships. The crux of social and bioethical concern could be expressed through the questions: from what age do we start extending human life, and for whom? Does the exten?sion of life lead to the re-establishment of our social roles from youth, or is it just a romantic image of our previous life stage? This study concludes that both paternalistic approaches to life extension and those avoiding modern medical treatments of diseases related to aging are faced with similar epistemological and social reductionism.