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FORA.tv Series: You Look Good In Those Genes

Arthur Caplan on Using Biomedicine to Enhance Ourselves

Chautauqua Institution
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theoriginaldrifter Avatar
theoriginaldrifter
Posts: 22
Posted: 06.26.09, 03:13 PM
On living longer: I prefer for scientists to be more occupied with finding a cure for all diseases rather than finding a way to extend my life span. Sure, I might be able to live longer if I take these extra pills/drugs for the next fourty years but it would be more world-changing and more gratifying to me if scientists were be able to find a cure for AIDS.

On that argument, the government should spend less money on NASA and on military funds and use those funds to help provide better education, better medicine and to technology. I am not saying that colonizing the solar system and having a top notch military isn't important but I find it to be second in line. Sure, it's cool to be able to travel to Jupiter but wouldn't it be better if we figured out how to purify our ecosystem, stop global warming and make our world a smarter place? One problem at a time boys.
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Steven185 Avatar
Steven185
Posts: 1
Posted: 06.29.09, 03:27 PM
I think you're using a false dilemma there, though. Curing diseases and extending lifespans are not mutually exclusive, i.e. finding a cure for AIDS may (and would) need tecniques which (eventually would) extend lifespans as well...
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theoriginaldrifter Avatar
theoriginaldrifter
Posts: 22
Posted: 07.01.09, 05:15 PM
@Steven185 - Curing diseases will not specifically extend a life span for most people but if a person is on the brink of death after catching dengue and it is fixed, then instead of them dying the following day, they will live for several more months. several years or maybe longer (I think there is already a cure for dengue). In addition, my previous comment merely stated that I would rather have scientists be more preoccupied with curing most diseases than having them trying to figure out how to extend my life span. I never said that curing diseases will make people live longer. I just have different priorities than these people.
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