Part One: A Cure of Ageing
- As a professor of genetics and co-director of Paul-Glenn laboratories for Molecular Biology for Aging, David Sinclair’s focused on finding a solution to aging. He examined yeast cells.
- David has assumed a pharmaceutical approach and uncovered a chemical capable of reversing aging among people. Yeast cells offer an explanation to aging because their genes begin switching on with age.
- David’s motivation was from his grandmother’s death and aging, reducing the vibrancy of a woman who was once young to become a shell of herself.
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- David argues that senior citizens need to be kept healthy; otherwise, the costs of treatment can crash the infrastructure in the country and the destruction of the economy.
- No, David does not see aging as natural, and hence not important.
- Ninety-nine percent of research is devoted to Alzheimer’s, heart diseases, and cancer.
- David thinks it is not right to investigate individual illnesses because only a few people encounter them, and the entire population will age at last.
- The aging rate is decreasing because there are various medications utilized today that lead to brain aging, with hearts still working, and this results in a costly healthcare system for seniors.
- As cells grow older, genes get switched on.
- The process is reversible using a gene known as SIR 2 (Silent Information Regulator 2), which can be utilized in reversing aging.
- David believes that the theory of epigenetic is responsible and can also be used in explaining aging.
- Sirtuins are responsible for clipping off chemicals within the body genes.
- David argues that Sirtuins are naturally secreted when we fail to eat and during exercise.
- David was demotivated and wanted to stop his practice in science after a report was produced, claiming that their research findings were wrong.
- Clinical trials have been revived in order to keep people healthy by hindering aging.
Part Two: Applied Research
- Three Research Articles
Articles: 1. https://www.verywellhealth.com/why-we-age-theories-and-effects-of-aging-2223922
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5991498/
- https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-10-aging.html
Article 1 ‘Why Do You Age?’ explains different theories that explain the complex topic of aging. Previously, scientists focused on a single theory explaining the process of aging. However, with time, different researchers have discovered the complexity of the issue in regard to interactions between physiology, genetics, behavior, and chemistry. Through research, different scientists have come up with various theories that explain aging as a normal fact of being humans. These theories include programmed theories, biochemical theory, error theories, and genetic theory of aging. The article also provides several behaviors that people can take to prevent premature aging. Even though aging is inevitable, people need to care ough f their bodies and minds and also embrace the changes that come (Stibich & Fogoros, 2019).
The article explains in-depth the theories explaining the reasons behind aging among human beings. The article is very informative and straight to the point, and I find it to be very crucial to every reader who wants to know more about aging. I agree with the research because it provides valid points and proven research. For instance, it explains that behaviors play a significant role in increasing or decreasing aging in people. For instance, exercise and proper mental health are some of the ways that have been proven to prevent premature aging. The research informs members of society on what causes aging and methods of reducing aging, hence very important. To come up with my viewpoints, I used the common good approach because it looks at the benefits achieved by society as a whole.
Article 2 ‘A synopsis on aging – Theories, mechanisms, and future prospects’ explains the process of aging, which includes the theories that expound on why people age. Aging is extremely complex due to the various changes that occur at multiple levels involved in the biological hierarchy. The article focuses more on the most appropriate adjustments that occur during the process of aging. The article also provides an analysis of the present status of emerging aging treatments and the future expected in this area of study. The article explains three aging theories: program, combined, and damage theories (da Costa at al., 2016). Program and damage theories have been the most common theories used to explain biological aging. Recently, combined theories have emerged to offer a more intensive and universal explanation of the aging process.
This article is very much detailed and informative to the readers. It provides recent research on aging and explains what the future looks like for this field. I, therefore, agree with the research because it provides solid facts and information gathered from credible sources. The study is beneficial to society because it informs people on essential facts about aging and provides therapies and behaviors people should observe to reduce aging. For this reason, I would recommend this article to other readers and researchers who need to get more information on the topic. To come up with my viewpoints regarding this particular research, I utilized the common good approach since I believe that every study should focus on the good of every society member without any bias.
Article 3 ‘Researchers discover how to slow aging’ discusses research conducted by the medical school faculty at the University of Minnesota involving various researchers. The study suggested that there was a possibility of reducing the burden associated with destroyed cells (senescent cells), and prolong their life and enhance health. This was also applicable when treatment started later in life. The researchers used aged mice that were treated using the natural ingredient, Fisetin, that exists in most fruits as well as vegetables. The product positively affects health and lifespan, hence very essential in aging reduction. This suggests that individuals accumulate destroyed cells with age, which later starts aging on their own after getting to a certain level. Fisetin was found to contribute to reducing the damaged body cells even at old age (University of Minnesota, 2018).
The article summarizes the research in a very efficient way by providing the most important details of the study. This research is fundamental because it shows that scientists continue to work around the clock to address the issue of premature aging that has affected many people, especially in the previous generations. With such good progress, the current and future generations can benefit from such kind of research, which also inspires additional research. This research affects the entire society positively by finding a solution to an issue that has affected people since time immemorial. Therefore, the research benefits the elderly people and also the entire society. Therefore, I used the common good approach to establish my viewpoint on this research.
- Short Essay
Aging is now a very compelling field for innovators, researchers, and regulators all over the world. Due to the various myths that surround aging, researchers have worked ceaselessly to break some of these myths and help people overcome the challenges that come with premature aging. Increasing life expectancy is a good thing to people; an article by Buckland, 2019 argues that this puts unprecedented pressure on healthcare systems. I think this line of thinking is inspired by the fact that older people tend to have countless health issues that are very costly and challenging to manage. These include terminal illnesses, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, and heart diseases, among others. This article, therefore, raises valid points that should inspire more researchers to look into them.
I believe that we should consider handling all diseases at once in order to ensure that some diseases do not take a toll on others. Although there has been significant research on aging, a lot still has to be done to exhaust the topic completely. I believe that research has to be done on the negative impacts of derailing aging, especially among senior citizens, both economic and personal. These aspects have been ignored since most researchers are focused on the positive side of slowing aging. There are various myths/misconceptions surrounding aging. According to a WHO article, some of these myths include that deprives one of happiness, and that older people experience various health conditions (World Health Organization, 1999). However, happiness does not depend on age, and older adults can be happy, just like younger people. Also, older adults who live healthy lifestyles have fewer chances of developing certain health conditions.
Some of the ethical consequences of different treatments/practices pertaining to aging include that such practices, including research, could affect health, the economy, and society. Extending older people’s life could lead to them living longer lives but in poor health. The economy and society could also be hurt because of the resources and energy used in making this happen. Elderly individuals are more vulnerable to disease and viral infections like Covid-19 because their immune systems are mostly weaker as compared to that of younger people. Also, most suffer from chronic illnesses that weaken their capacity to battle infectious diseases.
References
Buckland, D. (2019). We’re living much longer, but are we healthier? Retrieved from: https://www.raconteur.net/healthcare/ageing-population-healthier
da Costa, J. P., Vitorino, R., Silva, G. M., Vogel, C., Duarte, A. C., & Rocha-Santos, T. (2016). A synopsis on aging—Theories, mechanisms, and future prospects. Aging research reviews, 29, 90-112.
Stibich, M. & Fogoros, R. N. (2019). Why Do You Age? Retrieved from: https://www.verywellhealth.com/why-we-age-theories-and-effects-of-aging-2223922
The University of Minnesota, (2018). Researchers discover how to slow aging. Retrieved from: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-10-aging.html
World Health Organization. (1999). Aging: Exploding the Myths. Aging and Health Programme. World Health Organization, Geneve.