Aging: Disease or "natural" process? A glimpse from regenerative medicine

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Biomedical Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Aging is a global phenomenon with multifactorial biological underpinnings.
• The classification of old age in the ICD-11 as a disease is debated.
• Defining the transition from normal aging to pathological states presents ethical challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore aging as a treatable condition versus a natural process.
• To examine the challenges and opportunities in understanding aging.
• To discuss the implications of classifying aging within disease frameworks.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and conceptual analysis of aging research.
• Examination of the ICD-11 classification of old age.
• Discussion of current anti-aging interventions and future prospects.

Main Results:

• Aging presents as a complex biological process with potential for intervention.
• The categorization of aging as a disease is contentious, raising ethical questions.
• Promising anti-aging interventions are emerging, though biological immortality remains distant.

Conclusions:

• Aging should be viewed as a treatable condition, not strictly a disease.
• Further research is crucial for developing interventions to enhance healthspan and quality of life.
• Understanding aging's implications is key to improving human health outcomes.