Biology is a science that poses many questions and mysteries. Hence human beings are constantly seeking for answers to these doubts. One of these spectacular mysteries is ageing, which is a natural process by which most living beings go through. However, for many centuries, it has been unknown how and why this process occurs. As a consequence of the constant development of science and biotechnology, in the last couple of years, scientists have discovered some of the mysteries of this marvelous process. Now a day, it is even possible to reverse, in some cells the process of ageing. However, new challenges arise regarding the management and application of this new biotechnology. The purpose of this essay is to examine ageing as a biotechnology by discussing the positive and negative impact it might has. In this essay the advantages and disadvantages of ageing will be discussed. …show more content…
One of the advantages of reversing ageing is to find a potential cure for cancer. As shown in Figure 2, cancer appears because of the uncontrolled division of cells in mitosis, due to errors in DNA (Bernstein et al. 2008). Scientist has found that the molecule that enables ageing might also enables cancer. Thus, it is thought that both ageing and cancer can be physiologically similar (Cameron 2013). Hence, the higher the age of a living being, the higher the risk of cancer. Another advantage of reversible ageing, as a biotechnology, is that there is a correlation between ageing and damage of mitochondrion. As illustrated in Figure 3, structural changes in the organelle, due to oxidative damage cause mitochondrial deficit. Hence, the production of NAD decreases, which produces diabetes (CGRI 2014). It is believed by the Science department of the University of New South Wales (2013) that “if the compound is treated as needed they could safely cure both diabetes I and II and other mitochondrial diseases”. Thus, reversible ageing might be the answer to medical concerns and disease, which were thought to not have …show more content…
The purpose of this essay was to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of ageing, as a biotechnology. Reversible ageing can be the answer to cures for multiple diseases, such as cancer. However, the impact in human beings is still unknown because of the experimental stage in which this biotechnology is. Reversible ageing has given insight into genetic and medical research, in order to find new perspectives of treatment to fatal diseases. Nonetheless, the usage that the human race will give to this technology must be under strict control. Finally, reversible aging is a new biotechnology that leads science to a better understanding on how the human body works. And humans have the tremendous responsibility of using it in the correct way, thinking on the potential consequences it can
She points out facts about different methods of curing human imperfections, such as ageing, impotence and organ failures, and how the idea of ageing has evolved over the years: “old age was so rare in less-developed societies that people who achieved it were granted a certain amount of status and even a mystical cachet. Later, the elderly might have been mocked or isolated, but age was still not seen as an illness. It’s only in recent centuries, as old age has become more and more commonplace, that we have started to venerate youth; ageing is now associated not with fortunate longevity but with decrepitude and disease.” These facts introduce and support the idea that ageing is certainly a problem now compared to earlier in life and is in need of a cure. Zimmerman continues by presenting the effort of others, who are credited, who have put there life work into finding ways to better the effects of ageing, such as the San Quentin prison experiment involving the implanting of executed prisoners’ testis to promote “youth, health and vigour (Zimmerman 2014).”
The author mentions the case of celebrity Anna Nicole Smith, who married an elderly man. Reports that U.S. life expectancy has increased in the past century and an expected rise in the maximum possible age are highlighted. He reports how stem-cell could be useful like it is in other countries. The article “That Lean and Hungry Look” by
Modern medical advances have lengthened the human life span, such that it is now longer than it has been at any point in human history. These advances happened alongside the
For example, Alzheimer’s disease is a disease that is caused by brain cell death. Alzheimer’s does not have a cure, and the only treatment for it is medication that will slow the death of cells. However, if embryonic stem cells were used, they could replace and, theoretically, stop the death of brain cells, which would in turn, halt the disease. So overall, this treatment could dramatically benefit patients struggling through diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer, and diabetes. Furthermore, the increase of quality of life for these living people is more than worth the possible destruction of a cluster of
In Aging Backwards, author Miranda Esmonde-White describes how aging is more of a lifestyle choice than a length of time growing old. Esmonde-White’s main goal in writing this book is to expand knowledge to individuals that the reason why we age is because of neglecting certain areas on our bodies. Every muscle in our body is the key to living a long life. According to Esmonde-White (2014), “An organelle called mitochondria, is the powerhouses of cells.
The process of aging in not an unfamiliar topic to society and is an inevitable phase of life. Since 2011, the number of older individuals are increasing annually particularly those from the baby boomer generation. The life expectancy has been increasing with people living longer thanks to modern medicine. These occurrences are proof that civilization is growing exponentially, however the process of aging also means that the older individuals are facing dilemmas such as decreased physical functions, financial instability from retirement, and abuse. Even older adults who are independent may face some limitations.
Finally, genetic modifying can allow people to live longer. You may think that this is good that people would live longer, but there some negative aspects to this. Life would be very boring of course, but more importantly, overpopulation would happen and humans would be in competition with one another since everything would now be limited. While some aspects of genetic engineering should appealing, they all most likely have a dark secret hiding within
Almost 50 years ago, Robert Butler coined the term “ageism” as a way to describe the negative and unfair treatment of older people by society. He described the phenomenon of ageism as a form of bigotry, a personal revulsion to and distaste for growing old, disease and disability. His description further included a fear of powerlessness, uselessness and death (Levy & Macdonald, 2016). For the purpose of this paper, ageism will be defined as a form of culturally based age bias that involves restrictiveness of behavior or opportunities based on age, age-based stereotyping and distorted perception in the service of maintaining such stereotypes, positive or negative (Nussbaum, Pitts, Huber, Raup-Krieger & Ohs, 2005). Ageism is very pervasive
Ageism is a form of discrimination that affects almost every individual at some point in their life, whether it be in the work place or at the grocery store. Most examples of ageism are negative, often depicting the elderly as deteriorating, forgetful, or incompetent. Examples which characterize the elderly as "cute," although seemingly harmless, are still cases which overgeneralize the elderly population (Whitbourne & Whitbourne, 2011, p. 28). Ageism is often seen in popular media through greetings cards, comic strips, and advertisements (Snyder-Rivas, 2015, Lesson 2 Commentary). Greeting cards, specifically birthday cards, provide the largest variety of ageist stereotypes, both positive and negative.
Talking about skin aging is a sensitive topic these days as no one would like to actually picture the whole process of their skin losing that youthful appeal after a few years. However, it is essential to know that our skin is like any other part of our body. To be more scientific, skin is the largest organ of the human body. This organ is the first layer which serves as the line of defense and prevents the entry of harmful microbes as well as harmful particles. Apart from this, the body temperature is regulated and the moisture content in the body is also regulated to a certain extent by the skin.
Today, we live in 21st century where everything is modern and modernization is linked up with scientific discoveries and invention. With the modernization, we had done many discoveries in different fields and now we also had made many discoveries about human body. These discoveries in human body also give us ability to modify the genes and change it as we want it to be. These discoveries made for the betterment of humanity but sometimes people have mixed point of view and some are against the discovery and some are with it.
Growing up, my knowledge of aging was haunted because compared to the science and technologically advanced countries like the United States, I felt and witnessed the agony of getting
How Technology has changed the World I. Intro a. Over time humans have destroyed the environment with pollution and now we are creating new technologies to spot polluting our planet. b. Technology is rapidly evolving and it has changed the way people live out their lives. People have become attached to technology and it is affecting the way we live both physically and mentally.
Genetic engineering could theoretically eliminate the passing of “disease” genes. In addition, new products can be created. With genetic engineering, new products can be created by adding or combining different profiles together. This makes it possible for more people to get what they need nutritionally, even if their food access
Aging is a biological process through which every human being gone through regardless of any ground. Aging can be described as the process of growing old and is an intricate part of the life cycle. It is inevitable and irreversible process.