The Future Of Anti-Aging

For decades, humans have wondered if there is a possibility for them to extend their lives. In modern times, such a feat may seem possible with the recently acquired knowledge and technology. In this text, I will explain the process of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Implantation with its effects on society morally, economically, psychologically, etc.

The aging of humans is caused by the cell divisions in the body. When the cells divide, the Telomere is split up among the divided cells and becomes smaller. The DNA within the Telomere is replicated, not perfectly, for the divided cell. The reason the DNA is not being able to replicate perfectly is due to the fact that DNA Polymerase cannot copy the tip of the linear chromosomes completely. This results in a small piece of DNA lost, not replicated for the Telomere. This process repeats until the Telomere is unable to divide and enters a phase of senescence. With the cells unable to divide, the tissues of the organs cannot be repaired, as there are no cells dividing. This is aging as the human body becomes weaker and slower in all its metabolic processes.

In order for humans to “Anti-Age,” they must counter this “aging” process.

• First, the Telomerase enzyme would have to be activated. The enzyme will add the DNA sequences back by using the RNA template that the enzyme contains. This would potentially extend the Telomere, allowing more cell division.

• Second, induced pluripotent stem cells can be injected into organs in place of the damaged and “old” cells. The IPSC will communicate with the surrounding cells and send in nutrients and oxygen more efficiently than the old cells. It will then release signaling molecules that will make cells increase Cytokinesis, Vascular Endothelial growth factor, and Fibroblast growth factor. This would allow faster healing and possibly organ regeneration.

• Third, clearing old/senescent cells across the body will be done. This is because senescent cells cause tissue inflammation and organ damage due to their chemicals. To do this process, senolytic drugs are used. Senolytic drugs target senescent cells and induce Apoptosis, Cell death. Senolytic drugs do so by blocking the essential pathways of senescent cells, such as BCL-2 or PI3K. Tissue function is improved, and the regenerative ability increases.

• Lastly, to further rejuvenate tissues, gene editing can be used. Genes have certain “switches” that are turned “off” and “on”. Depending on which “switches” are turned on, the gene is expressed differently. Using CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) “switches” like the TERT, SIRT, FOXO, NRF2, etc, can be turned on. With the gene expressing more metabolic, resistant, and regenerative properties, this can further enhance the “Anti-Aging” ability of the human body.

Now that the process of “Anti-Aging” is over, we can explore the countless effects of “Anti-Aging” in Human society. We can first explore the economic future of society when “Anti-Aging” is applied. With such a significant medical procedure, the costs will be very expensive, perhaps costing 1 million-10 million dollars, depending on the medical industry’s advancement in the process. With this, private companies may emerge, establishing a foundation around “Anti-Aging”. With people increasing their life expectancies, private companies could use “Anti-Aging” to their benefit and sell it to only the wealthy communities. Population stability may decrease as the number of humans is growing every year, with limited resources, and the rich live on.

Now that we are done with exploring examples of the economic future, we can focus on human behavior. With humans knowing that they have longer life spans and are “regenerating at a fast pace,” the statistical lists of fear may drop. Emotions of cockiness and bravery could be more evident. People may be more willing to take risks due to their regenerative abilities. The morality and empathy of humans may be more numb, and humans may be less committed to love.

If soldiers were required to go through “Anti-Aging”, the concept of “super soldiers" may emerge. Drastic measures of killing people may be enforced in war, as the enemy may regenerate and still be alive. The essence of wars may be reduced as countries are likely to face more chaos and destruction, as soldiers could be “Anti-Age”. Wars may drag out because the soldiers may outlast their opponents. Soldiers fight with less fear, causing them to be more reckless and aggressive. Due to some countries having advanced technology, wars could be very asymmetric. These are the infinite problems that may arise due to “Anti-Aging”. 

“Anti-Aging” not only would bring physical and psychological issues, but also philosophical ones as well. We imagine “humans” as us right now, but if a “human” were to be genetically modified with “Anti-Aging,” how would we describe that human? Will they even be human anymore? With being able to live longer and regenerate faster than other humans, they simply do not fit the definition of a “human” (A species of Homo sapiens living up to more than 100 years old regularly). The current understanding of what a human being is will change. Instead, there could be two types of humans: normal humans and augmented humans. With modified humans living longer, having more experience, and growing more knowledgeable, they may consider themselves "higher beings". Augmented humans may see themselves as “immortal”. Such a basis may lead to religious outbursts and confusion… The evolution of such humans may be able to increase rapidly as augmented humans shift in their identity of memories, emotions, morality, etc With the world split into two types of humans, humanity may face a new world.