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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #427537
Research Project: Metabolic and Molecular Mechanisms of Healthspan

Location: Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging

Title: Lessons for responsible geroscience from the history of longevity

Author
item WOHNS, NICOLAI - University Of Washington
item PROMISLOW, DANIEL - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University

Submitted to: Review / Technical Review
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/22/2025
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Advances in public health, medicine, and technology since the mid-19th century have redefined what is considered a "natural" lifespan for human beings. This article discusses work by researchers working on the biology of aging (also known as "geroscience") in the context of the changes in lifespan from an average of about 40 years at birth in the mid-19th century, to more than twice that now. The current effort by geroscientists to discover drugs to further increase lifespan must be guided by a careful consideration of history, ethics, and justice. Since making people live longer could have important consequences for everyone in society, how aging research will affect future generations should be carefully considered. Efforts to increase lifespan must ensure equal access, social responsibility, and careful thinking about the impact of lifespan on the entire community.