ABSTRACT
This chapter critically assesses some of the ethical issues surrounding the “framing” of life extension and, more specifically, an aging enhancement. Four aging enhancement frames are addressed and assessed: (1) “Is extending life natural?,” (2) How long is enough life?,” (3) “What about equality?” and (4) “Why promote public health?.” The first three frames buttress support for the “aging status quo” by suggesting that something of significant moral value is compromised or threatened by altering the rate of biological aging, and little (if anything) of significance could be expected to be gained by slowing the rate of senescence. This contrasts with question (4), the “Why promote public health?” question, which is framed to make vivid the actual harms of the “aging status quo,” as well as the benefits of slowing the aging process. When it comes to ethical debates concerning an aging enhancement, it is much more important to ask the right questions than it is to try to provide answers to the wrong questions.
