Aging, genomics, and society

Joona Räsänen

doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-91799-5.00006-1

Aging, genomics, and society

Joona Räsänen^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Department of Political Science - CEPDISC

Research output: Contribution to book/anthology/report/proceeding › Book chapter › Research › peer-review

Abstract

This chapter provides a philosophical overview of different approaches to age and aging. I challenge the belief that our age is always determined by the amount of time we have existed: chronology. I propose there are different views on age and aging. Biological age, which can be estimated based on epigenetics, might be more useful and important concept than chronological age. I suggest that sometimes some people should be allowed to change their legal age to reduce the harms that come from unjust assumptions related to old age. Changing legal age could also be used to fight ageism, discrimination based on age.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Genomics, Populations, and Society
Number of pages	10
Publisher	Academic Press
Publication date	1 Jan 2024
Pages	241-250
ISBN (Print)	9780323971997
ISBN (Electronic)	9780323917995
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91799-5.00006-1
Publication status	Published - 1 Jan 2024

Keywords

Age
Aging
Discrimination
Epigenetics
Ethics
Policy
Thought-experiments

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10.1016/B978-0-323-91799-5.00006-1

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AB - This chapter provides a philosophical overview of different approaches to age and aging. I challenge the belief that our age is always determined by the amount of time we have existed: chronology. I propose there are different views on age and aging. Biological age, which can be estimated based on epigenetics, might be more useful and important concept than chronological age. I suggest that sometimes some people should be allowed to change their legal age to reduce the harms that come from unjust assumptions related to old age. Changing legal age could also be used to fight ageism, discrimination based on age.

KW - Age

KW - Aging

KW - Discrimination

KW - Epigenetics

KW - Ethics

KW - Policy

KW - Thought-experiments

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PB - Academic Press

ER -

Aging, genomics, and society

Abstract

Keywords

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