Science, technology, and society
The aging process is thought to be initiated at the cellular level. Among the changes that can occur after a certain number of cell divisions is the loss of cell ability to respond growth factors and other chemical signals. Much research into aging is aimed at understanding such losses, with the ultimate goal of significantly extending the human life span. Not everyone, however, agrees that this is a desirable goal. If life expectancy were greatly increases what might be the social and ecological consequences.
Positive and negative