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Personalist Bioethics as a Guide to Assessing Emerging Anti-aging Therapies
Ana Rodríguez-Díaz1, Esperanza Marín-Conde1, Lucia Gómez-Tatay1
1Institute of Life Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia "San Vicente Mártir," Valencia, Spain.
Abstract:
Over the last several years, the idea that aging is inevitable has been replaced by scientific evidence showing that it is rather a malleable process. In this article, the most relevant and promising therapies have been classified into three large groups, based on their possible bioethical implications: (1) nutritional interventions, (2) pharmacological interventions, and (3) gene therapies. After defining the mechanisms of action of each group of treatments, as well as the risks and benefits currently identified, we evaluated each group following guidelines for the ethical assessment of interventions on the human body. These are based on the principles of personalist bioethics, which has allowed us to discern the licitness of such practices. After performing the analysis, we concluded that, at present, only nutritional interventions can be considered acceptable as anti-aging therapies. Drugs and gene therapies are still at too early a stage of development and their application would endanger human life. Finally, some recommendations are proposed in the field of aging founded on health care, based on healthy dietary control that, in turn, allows us to embrace the frailty and weakness of human nature, which become more evident during old age.
Insights
Aging is a malleable process, not inevitable. Current research suggests only nutritional interventions are ethically acceptable anti-aging therapies, while drugs and gene therapies pose significant risks.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology and Bioethics
- Exploration of aging as a modifiable biological process.
Background:
- The traditional view of aging as inevitable is being challenged by scientific evidence.
- Emerging therapies aim to modify the aging process, necessitating ethical evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To classify and evaluate promising anti-aging therapies based on bioethical implications.
- To assess the ethical acceptability of nutritional, pharmacological, and gene therapies for aging.
Main Methods:
- Classification of anti-aging interventions into nutritional, pharmacological, and gene therapy groups.
- Analysis of mechanisms of action, risks, and benefits for each therapy group.
- Ethical evaluation using principles of personalist bioethics.
Main Results:
- Nutritional interventions are currently deemed ethically acceptable for anti-aging.
- Pharmacological and gene therapies are in early development stages and pose risks to human life.
- Ethical assessment indicates significant concerns regarding the safety and licitness of drug and gene therapies.
Conclusions:
- Only nutritional interventions are ethically permissible anti-aging therapies at present.
- Pharmacological and gene therapies require further development due to safety and ethical concerns.
- Recommendations focus on healthy dietary control to manage aging-related frailty.
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