Imagine a world where age has no effect on what we do with our lives. People could live forever, choose multiple careers, and pretty much do whatever their heart desires. In today’s reality, this is physically impossible, but researchers have found a link between variants of the gene FOXO3A (Forkhead box O3) and people who live past 100.
As medicine continues to advance life expectancy, more and more people are becoming interested in longevity. Although aging is not an exact science, scientists do know the genetics and external factors that determine one’s life expectancy. Everyone, not only centenarians, has a FOXO3A gene. It has been found that FOXO3A variants are primarily common in centenarians. However, it is the variation of a unique section of the gene that is an area of interest. More specifically, single nucleotide polymorphisms are where the variations reside. Within these variations lies the key to longevity, and scientists want to discover, through DNA tests and genome sequencing, the specific single nucleotide polymorphism linked to aging.
Here is where a question of ethics develops. If scientists are able to locate the specific section of the gene, is it morally right for people to know how long they will live? Do we continue with research in the attempt to alter our genes in the hope of living longer? These impending questions are growing closer and closer as scientists experiment with genetic manipulation on mice. The results gained from these experiments may lead to extending life or even prolonging our youth. It is society’s responsibility to weigh the positive and negative effects of a possible life-extending drug.
Discovering an Elixir to Immortality
