Module 5: Socio-Philosophical Implications of Anti-Aging Technologies Flashcards
Types of anti aging science
-commercial and clinical
-non-traditional technologies
Commercial and clinical technologies
-enterprises that offer anti-aging products
Non traditional technologies
-research and development efforts of biogerontologists
Socio-philosophical implications of longevity
-justice
-relationships
-meaning
-social values
Types of justice
-unequal death
-distribution of resources
Unequal death
-can we morally afford to invest in research to extend life
Distribution of resources
-how to we justify pouring billions into extending lives of oldest old and ignoring needs of people dying young
Categories of relationships and meaning
-liberal anthropology
-communitarian anthropology
Liberal anthropology
-perceives human beings as primarily individuals who relate to each other by contract and negotiations, motivated by self interest
Communitarian anthropology
-human beings are viewed as social beings where relationships with others belong to the essential of what it is to live life
Social values
-social norms are based on the idea that, where possible, lives should be saved
Socio-philosophical implications of anti-aging technology
-free apps or services
-embodied technology
Free apps or services
-your data is the price you pay
Embodied technology
-has potential to extract data or specifically designed for that purpose
Unintended concequences of embodied technology
-personal privacy issues
-human agency
-creativity
-consent
-data from devices are combined in Body Area Networks (BAN) to be used
Embodied computer components
-involve those that are carried, worn, implanted etc
-sometimes by choice (wearing a watch)
Ambient technology
-you are observes and data is collected by technology that surrounds you
-download GPS app
Types of body area networks
-on the body
-in the body
-around the body
-body data communities
On the body networks
-technology we choose to wear or carry
-smartphones, watches
In the body networks
-we choose to implant or ingest
-pacemakers, neural implants
Around the body networks
-technology that surrounds us
-includes sensors and AI
Body data communities
-data on, in, and around our bodies is combined with data from other embodied networks within our communities at the micro-level and macro level
Intrabody communication
-uses signals to send data from one device to another within the body
How may older adults be vulnerable to embodied technologies
-may not fully understand data amalamation from various technologies into e healthcare systems
-aging persons are usually left out of conversation regarding this
Senescence
-the condition in which we age
-normal part of aging
Anti-aging
-based on biomedical model
-suggests that medical techniques can prevent aging process from occuring or slow it
-prevents appearance of getting older
Enhanced aging
-not necessarily about slowing or stopping aging
-focuses on painless functionality and timeless performance
-focuses on improving quality of life
Anti-aging as disease prevention
-if disease prevention could be combined with prevention of molecular damage, the it may be able to prevent emergence of senescent cells
Examples of anti-aging interventions
-nutrients
-metformin
-inflammation pathways
-stem cells
Nutrients
-nutrient signalling pathways have been activated to turn on endogenous repair and rejuvenation pathways
Metformin
-diabetes drug
-appears to be activated during aging-related nutrient pathways
Inflammation pathways
-senescent cells have been eliminated by reducing inflammation
Stem cells
-can be rejuvenated by infusion with healthy stem cells
Anti-aging technology for disease prevention
-robotics
-technology-assisted rehab
-AI
-technology to prevent or report falls
Robotics
-can be used for surgical procedures to improve accuracy
Technology-assisted rehab
-advances can augment neuroplasticity during recovery periods to be faster due to use of exoskeleton robotics
AI
-being applied to diagnose and treat ailments and diseases using algorithms
Technology to prevent or report falls
-in order to provide life saving medical response
Goals of enhanced aging
-good quality of life
-achieving best possible health and mobility
-compressed morbidity
Enhanced aging to address the symptoms of aging
-remain physically active
-change diet to reduce caloric intake and add fruits and veggies
-moderate alcohol
-cease tobacco use
-build and maintain support systems and close friendships
-manage stress
-seek meaning and maintain sense of purpose
Hybrid approach
-mix anti aging techniques with those that enhance aging
-ex could be physically active and have hip surgery
Inequity due to anti-aging
-those who do not embrace the fight against aging become marginalized/ostracized
Ethical considerations of extending life
-what are societal concequences of extending lives of some but not others
-should access to anti-aging medications and procedures be an extension of ubiquitous capitalist ethic
-should they only be available to some if they are available to all older adults
Lack of representation in media
-media seems to signal aging and older people, especially women are not newsworthy, interesting, or desirable
Symbolic annihalation
-underrepresentation of some group of people in media
Negative representation
-media images of aging people are often connected to problems and declining health
Representation of privilege
-older women featured in media are well groomed, without noticeable wrinkles, and have able-bodies in a body shape that conforms to societal norms
Healthy aging for the male body
-male andropause anti-aging strategies are linked to restoration of lost masculinity
-often measured by male sexual function
Healthy aging for the female body
-grounded in beauty standards that value the youthful presentation of the body
Problems with sex/gender misrepresentations and healthcare
-prevention and screenings
-joint disease
-heart disease
Prevention and screening
-older men are given more flu shots
-cholesterol screenings
-colonoscopies
-and carotid endarectomy for stroke prevention
Joint disease
-more older women have knee and hip arthritis and disability but are less likely than men to undergo joint replacement surgery
Heart disease
-women are less likely than men to receive heart bypass, cardiac resynchronization, atrial fibrillation ablation, and cardiac catheterization even when conditions are similar
Physician attitudes towards older adults
-level of concern for patients
-disrespectful behaviour
-disregarding long-term concequences
Types of ageist communication
-withhold information
-infantalizing
-talking over their head
Withhold information
-wont explain as much to older adults as younger adults
-dont think they will understand
Infantalizing
-using baby talk
-or addressing with terms like sweetie
Talking over their head
-can be treated as though they have functional deficits, even when they do not
-can be spoken to more slowly or in a loud voice
Zero sum game
-amount of health available to worlds aging population is not fixed
-improvements in health and life expectancy do not necessarily create social ills
