Never Say Die

2021 ◽  
pp. 255-263
Author(s):  
Amy Lynn Fletcher
Keyword(s):  
Life Extension ◽  
Complex Relationship ◽  
Human Aging ◽  
Human Lifespan ◽  
Political Dimensions ◽  
Cryo Preservation ◽  
Radical Life Extension

This chapter evaluates the longevity industry and the claims being made about the viability of radical life extension. It distinguishes between the established science of human aging and the emerging promissory economy being built upon visions of extending life well beyond the theoretical optimal human lifespan of approximately 115 years. With reference to examples such as cryo-preservation and cellular interventions, this wide-ranging exploration of the contemporary Western obsession with prolonging vibrant life focuses on the techno-political dimensions of “disrupting death” and the complex relationship between hope and hype that sustains the immortality imaginary.

scholarly journals A Life with Limits: A Christian Ethical Investigation of Radically Prolonging Human Lifespans

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manitza Kotzé
Keyword(s):  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Christian Ethics ◽  
Life Extension ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Relationship With God ◽  
Social Divisions ◽  
Human Lifespan ◽  
Relational Concept ◽  
God's Image ◽  
Radical Life Extension

Recent biotechnological advances pose topical challenges to Christian ethics. One such development is the attempt to try and enhance human beings and what it means to be human, also through radical life extension. In this contribution I am especially interested in limited human lifespan and attempts to radically prolong it. Although there are a number of ethical issues raised by critics, one of the most profound ethical and theological issues raised by these efforts is the question of equity and justice. This artice looks at questions such as whether this biotechnology could exacerbate existing social divisions. Who will be experimented on in the development of this technology, as well as who will have access to it and be able to afford it, should it become commercially available? Being created in God’s image is a relational concept, referring not only to humanity’s relationship with God, but also with each other. Disrupting these relationships through the possible enlarging socioeconomic divisions between people through the utilisation of enhancement technology is a serious bioethical and theological question.

2. Speaking of God in the Post-Human Era: An Examination of Radical Life Extension in Relation to Key Theological Concepts and Narratives

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaitlyn Barton
Keyword(s):  
Human Life ◽  
Life Extension ◽  
The Core ◽  
Psychological Suffering ◽  
The Cross ◽  
And Function ◽  
Radical Life Extension ◽  
The Way ◽  
Changing World

Rapid advancements in radical life extension technologies contribute to humanity’s ever-changing world. The normalization of radical life extension technologies would signify that the present era in which biology and evolution act as dictators of human life and health would come to an end, thereby ushering in the age of the post-human. The purpose of this paper is to engage in a theological analysis of how and to what degree the ways in which humanity speaks about God could be changed or influenced if radical life extension becomes normative within society. . It is likely that this powerful technology would have a significant impact on many facets of culture, including the way in which humanity engages with religion, in particular Christianity. To accomplish this, the technology that could potentially support radical life extension, namely nanotechnology and cybernetic immortality, will be explained in terms of their relevance and function. Subsequently, the affects of radical life extension for human life will be addressed. Specifically, the implications of the partial or full eradication of human biological and psychological suffering and death through the use of cybernetic immortality and nanotechnology and will be considered. From there, the core theological concepts and narratives will be analyzed in the context of the potential actualization of radical life extension technology. A focus will be placed on the ethic of loving thy neighbour, Christ’s suffering on the cross, the hope of salvation and the Christian hope of entrance into heaven after death. 

scholarly journals Motivations for Pursuing Radical Life Extension

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Lucinda April Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Life Extension ◽  
Life And Death ◽  
Ethical Implications ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Radical Life Extension ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Human Life Span

<p>In bio-ethics, the potential practical and ethical implications of radical life extension are being seriously debated. However, the role of motivation in relation to dramatically increasing the human life span has been largely overlooked. I propose that motivation is a crucial aspect to consider within the radical life extension discourse by conjecturing about why it might appeal and the possible ways it could impact outcomes where it is successfully developed and implemented. I do not thereby present an argument that supports or opposes radical life extension technology. This is ultimately a speculative piece. In exploring the relationship between motivation and radical life extension, I present a conceptual framework called the Thanatophobic and Romantic Motivational Spectrum (TRM Spectrum) designed to assist deeper examination on the subject. It captures what I suggest are two key motivators related to life and death, that is, the fear of death (Thanatophobia) and the “love” of life (Romanticism). The motivational spectrum is then applied to the death penalty versus life imprisonment, and euthanasia and suicide debates to demonstrate how it can be used for analysis of ethical issues in relation to the potential introduction of radical life extension technology.</p>

The Relevance of Value Theory for the Ethical Discussion of Human Enhancement

2014 ◽  
pp. 11-26
Author(s):  
Tobias Hainz
Keyword(s):  
Human Life ◽  
Theoretical Perspective ◽  
Human Enhancement ◽  
Value Theory ◽  
Life Extension ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
A Value ◽  
Ethical Discussion ◽  
Radical Life Extension ◽  
Theoretical Issues

The aim of this chapter is to provide a practical introduction to the central issues of value theory in order to demonstrate their relevance for the ethical discussion of human enhancement technologies. Among the value-theoretical issues discussed are value lexicality, the monism-pluralism dichotomy, and incommensurability. A particular enhancement technology analyzed from a value-theoretical perspective is radical life extension, the direct and intentional extension of the maximum human life span. Several examples are given to show how value-theoretical concepts are implicitly reflected in arguments for and against human enhancement. At the end of the chapter, it should be clear that value theory can and should make stronger contributions to the ethical discussion of human enhancement and that, in this discussion, an increased awareness of value-theoretical issues is desirable.

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