Mes. Helmik English 102 13 March 2017 Research Outline: Genetic Technology and Extending the Human Lifespan ‘Thesis Statement: Genetic technology should not be used to prolong the human lifespan because itll erate more problems thn it wll x. Longer lfespans will lead to overpopulation, an Increased unemployment rate and ge age gaps botwoen the rich and poor. The divorce rte would inreasesubstantilly and family life woud see dramatic changes. Dying of old age allows family mentbers to let go of heir loved ones easier and prolonging the human lifespan ‘would disrupt that process. Opponents of lifespan extension believe there are more pressing raters the word should try to fix before it focuses on increasing human longevity. I people ‘were abe to live for hundreds of years, ther drive to be successful or adventurous would vans, |. With the development of new genetic technology, humans wll be able to extend their lives by hundkeds of years, ‘A. Ageing occurs when one's body can no longer provide maintenance tothe damaged macromolecules (Mahler 673. 1. Scientists believe that once they ae able to understand why the human body ages, they wil beable to finda cure for cancer (Hackler 16). B, Scientists are striving to slow or stop the damage the body inflicts on celts (Life Span Extension}1. Sciomists re runing tests o ab animals uch ast ies end mice (ackler 16) 8) Scientists have been able to successfully double the lifespan of fit ies using calorie reduction Hacker 15) CC. ‘Strategies for Engineered Negligible SeneMence (SENS) include calorie ‘eduction, genetic manipulation, artifical organs, and therapeutic cloning (Cntroduction to Extending the Human Lifespan: At Issue") 1. The damaged body els wl be replaced with new, heathy cells io keep humans younger for longer periods of ime (Life Span Extension. 2, While performing an experiment of frit fy, scientists accidentally Aisabled a gene which produced the same resul as cloric reduction (Hacer 15), UL Inereasing the human ifespan by hundreds of years would cause the world o become severely overpopulatd. Overpopulation would cause a chain reaction of negative evens ‘A. Runing low on space isnot the issu, disrupting the ert’ balance will be the sause of ll he major problems (Largen 12). 1. Amincrease in consumption will not only affet humans, it wil aso affect, animals, wether pattems, and global warming (Largen 13) 2, The balance of life and death wl be disrupted othe birth rates would need tobe controlled (Hacker 17) B. As the population continued to grow, natural resources would grow very searce (Life Span Extension")‘There would be competition fr fod and clean water (“intr to Extending..." 4) More people would suffer from starvation because the prices of ood would inerease due tothe limited amount of resources (Hacker 18), People would be forced to cut down large numbers af res to provide homes for the growing population (Hacklet 17). 4) Deforesiation could cause a breakout of infectious diseases (fHacider 19, . Prisons and jails would quikly become full (Hackler 18). Since there would be limited amounts of space, the death penalty would need tobe reconsidered (Hackler 18). A life sentence in prison would be a harsher punishment than itis now if people were abet live for hundreds of years (Hacker 18), 8) The life extending eatment could ony be offered to people who are 18 and older and have been able to stay out of trouble (Hackler 18) ‘As the prisons continued to fil up, the cost to maintain the prisons would ‘ite causing a greater burden on society (Hackler 18). IL, Ifhuans could increase their longevity, they would be able to work longer. ‘A, The extra years people worked would help contribute tothe taxes that are charged for social security (“Life Span Extension”)B, People would also be able to eam more money that they could use to invest in ‘hie fates, 1V._ The unemployment rate would continuously rise if the human longevity was increased. ‘A. Since people would stay younger for longer periods of time, they would need 19 ‘work ionger tobe able to make enough money ta support themselves (Hackler ) 'B, Managers and people holding higher positions would be able to accumulate great eal and possibly monopolize certain companies (Hackler 17). . Young and old people woud face competition fr the fw jobs openings offered (Lifespan Extension”) D. Since people woul work for longer ero of time, there is a possibility hat peuple wou be fred to change carers every few years (Hace 17) 1. Changing carers would prevent boredom an allow tes ideas to surface (Gace 17, V. _Lifeextensionechnology woud not be affordable for everyone. ‘A. Thete would be strange age gaps betwoon the rch and the poor dc tothe cost of the itepan extending tehnology (Haske 17) 1. scientists were to develop a dog that extended human ives, the estimated costs 8,000 fra six month supply (Baily) 2, Psopleliving in pars ofthe developing word woud not be abl afford he new technology which would ereate a world wide age gap (“Life Span Extension”)VL. The divorce rate is already incredibly high today, but would continue tse asthe life expcetaney climbs higher and higher ‘A. Married couples would have more time to grow bored with each other and leave ‘he marriage (Hackler 17). B, Today, some married couples stay together because ofthe sense of comfort; with forty extra years to be martied to that person itis likely tht they wil gota Aivorce (Hackler 17). VIL. Extending the human lifespan would cause substantial changes to fail lie ‘A. The fertility period would be increased overtime allowing an age gap of forty to fy years between siblings (Hacker 17). 1. The relationship between a sibling tht is old enough fo be the younger sibling's grandparent would see major changes (HacklerI7) B. The relationship between the parent and the child would be affected as well (Hacklor 17), VIL Life extension is not a desirable solution because dying of old age helps family members say goasbye, [A. Ascld people become useless to society, family members start t accept the fact ‘hat they will die Soon (Anderson). B. :fpeople never aged, their deaths would be unexpected and cause more emotional damage (Anderson). 1X. Supporters of lifespan extension believe humans have an ethical duty toextend the Inara lifespan,XL XIL [A Scientist Aubrey de Grey thnks people should have the right t live as long as they choose (Kennedy 23. 1. He also thinks scientists are obligated to provide the option to lve longer for the people ofthe future (Kennedy 24), B. According to de Grey, not attempting to extend one's life is equivalent to trying to shorten ones life (Kennedy 23), There are more urgent matters that shouldbe addressed befor lifespan extension. ‘A. Tnereasing human longevity shouldbe at the bottoms ofthe world’s priority ist (Hackler 19) 'B. The world has more important matters to focus on such as global warming, overpopulation, natural resources, and landfill wastes (Hackler 18). People would have more time to spend with frends and family as well a traveling the world. ‘A. With longer lifespan, supporters believe they wil be able to devote more time to their hobbies and personal affuirs (“Life Span Extension”) B. If pcople could devote more oftheir to her intrest, they would live more fulied lives (Life Spen Extension”) People would change the way they think if thei fespans were increases by hundreds of years ‘A, Humans would lose the drive to become sucessful because they would have ‘more time to accomplish hei life goals (“Life Span Extension”) 1. Today, people have leamed how to use ther time wisely since iis limite. peoplB, “Morality gives people's lives purpose and direction" (“Lite Span Extension").Works Cited Andersen, Ross. "Radical Life Extension Raises Complex Social, Economie, and Political Issues." Extending the Human Lifespaa, edited by Tamata Thompson, Greenhaven Press, 2013. At Issue. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, ezproxy parkland edu: 2048/ogin ur oy V/ Bailey, Ronald “Viable Life Extusion Science Fight for Credibility” Extending the Human Lifespan, edited by Tamar ‘Thompson, Greenhaven Press, 2013, At Isue. Opposing Viewpoints in Contexezproxy parkland edv:2048/login?url-htplink galegroup.com/apps/doe/E1301 (0880208/0VIC?u-parkcol_maindexide1{13714, Accessed 3 Mar. 2017. Originally published as "The Methuselah Manifesto," Reason, 17 Nov. 2008. ‘crurparkeol maindxid-0Sb3fee9, Accessed 3 Mar 2017 ‘\V/Hackler, Chris, "Troubling Implications Of Doubling The Human Lifespan." Generations 25.4 (2001); 15-19, Omni FullText Select H.W, Wilson) Web 27 Jan. 2017. \Ateoduction to Extending the Hunan Lifespan: At Issue” Extending the Human Lifespan, edited by Tamara Thompson, Greeahaven Press, 2013. At Issue. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, ‘DVOVICTupskcol_mainideSTaben, Accessed 23 Jan, 2017, Kennedy, Thomas D. "Anti-Aging, Rights and Human Nature” Ethics de Medivine:International Journal of Biveties, vol. 25, no. 1, Spring 2008, p. 21-29. EBSCO, oss parkland edu: 204% uin?uel-hllp//earch cbscobost con hug as Gab sdhGAN=3E345 inedscope sits rgen, Kristin Johnston. "The Theological Problem of Overpopulation." Dialog: A Journal of ‘Theology, vo. $1, no. 1, Spring 2012, pp. 12-13. EBSCOhost, oi:10.1111(,.1540-6385.2011,00649 x Life Span Extension." issues & Contoversies.lnfobase Learning, 21 July 2006.Web. 25 Jan 2017. , \/Mahiler, Joel F. "Mutant Models Of Prolonged Life Span.” foxicologie Pathology 29.6 (2001) 673-676. Academic Search Complete. Web, 23 Jan, 2017.