The Ethics of Longevity

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Within the last century, the advancements of modern science, technology and research have increased the average human life expectancy worldwide. While new research has produced drugs to help us live longer with diseases like cancer, AIDS and diabetes, it has also created designer drugs to aid and relieve the side affects of aging. With these benefits come personal rights and social responsibilities not faced by previous generations. For all of the of those that work tirelessly to bring these drugs to improve the daily life of others for little rewards, there are pharmaceutical giants whose profits climb to new heights by marketing drugs to the aging population. This paper will discuss two ethical issues surrounding longevity, the ethics of pharmaceutical companies associated with keeping us alive and comfortable, and the right to an individual’s definition of quality of life. The search for the fountain of youth has produced many multi-billion dollar corporations across the globe, from pharmaceutical companies to insurance agencies. The large profits these companies report yields incredible power and influence. Pharmaceutical conglomerates introduce new drugs worldwide targeted directly to those who are aging. Packaging is covered front to back with the fine print of the drugs’ possible side-affects, many sound more terrifying than actually just living with the condition. Television campaigns touch on the vulnerabilities and insecurities that threaten quality of life when one is aging, and can be down right embarrassing. The low voiced, quick speed of the drug disclaimer always ends instructing patients to ‘Ask your doctor if xxx is right for you…” To answer this question, the medical profession is often relied upon to brid... ... middle of paper ... ...stitute. (1999 йил 01-01). HUMANISM TODAY . (R. B. Tapp, Ed.) Retrieved 2012 йил 12-01 from Humanist Institute: http://www.humanismtoday.org/vol13/larue.html marketwatch.com. (2012 йил 17-01). LifeVantage Expands Board of Directors and Announces Approval of Tender Offer to Modify Warrants. Retrieved 2012 йил 25-01 from MarketWatch: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/lifevantage-expands-board-of-directors-and-announces-approval-of-tender-offer-to-modify-warrants-2012-01-17 Phatak, A. (1998 йил 01-01). The pharmaceutical industry and the medical profession. Retrieved 2012 йил 19-01 from Indian Journal of Medical Ethics: http://www.ijme.in/064cr131.html The Wise Sloth. (2009 йил 4-12). My prediction on the legalization of euthanasia. Retrieved 2012 йил 25-01 from The Wise Sloth: http://wisesloth.wordpress.com/2009/12/04/my-prediction-on-the-legalization-of-euthanasia/

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