Anticipating the use of life extension technologies.

If the claims of life extension advocates have any merit, it will soon be possible to slow down ageing and increase average human life expectancy to 100 years and beyond (Hall, 2003). Indeed, there have been reports that the first life extension drug could be available within 5–7 years (Wade, 2009). A reasonable initial increase in life expectancy for today’s generations would be an extra 7 years on average, although others are optimistic that slowing ageing could result in substantial improvements in ‘health-span’ and maximum lifespan (Olshansky et al, 2009; Miller, 2009). The development of effective life extension technologies (LETs)—the potential range of techniques, treatments, products and pharmaceuticals that might slow ageing— would have a significant impact on individuals, society, the medical profession, governments and legislators (Olshansky et al, 2009).