RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Life extension and the burden of mortality: Leon Kass versus John Harris
JF Journal of Medical Ethics
JO J Med Ethics
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics
SP 336
OP 340
DO 10.1136/medethics-2013-101438
VO 40
IS 5
A1 Andrea Sauchelli
YR 2014
UL http://jme.bmj.com/content/40/5/336.abstract
AB Some bioethicists have questioned the desirability of a line of biomedical research aimed at extending the length of our lives over what some think to be its natural limit. In particular, Leon Kass has argued that living longer is not such a great advantage, and that mortality is not a burden after all. In this essay, I evaluate his arguments in favour of such a counterintuitive view by elaborating upon some critical remarks advanced by John Harris. Ultimately, I argue that nothing substantial has been said by Kass to undermine the desirability of life-extending technologies.