This podcast explores both the methods and moral implications of extending human life. Professor John K. Davies of California State University, Fullerton, author of New Methuselahs: The Ethics of Life Extension (MIT Press, 2018), advocates for promoting life extension science. He has been featured in outlets like The Daily Beast, Newsweek, and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Key Points:

The podcast delves into the science and ethics of life extension. Professor John K. Davies emphasizes the need to advance life extension while carefully considering its moral implications.

• Focus on Life Extension: The podcast explores both the scientific methods and moral implications of extending human life, with guest Professor John K. Davis advocating for the promotion of life extension science.
• Distinction from Immortality: Life extension is clarified as extending lifespan without ageing, not achieving immortality, leaving individuals vulnerable to accidents and diseases.
• Ethical Concerns: Three main ethical concerns are discussed: the quality of life in extended years, potential social injustices, and the risk of overpopulation if life extension becomes widespread.
• Approaches to Life Extension: The discussion covers three potential approaches: promoting, inhibiting, or prohibiting life extension, with Davis arguing for its promotion under specific conditions.
• Malthusian Concerns: A significant concern raised is the potential for severe overpopulation due to life extension, which could lead to resource scarcity and environmental challenges.
• Justice and Accessibility: The podcast emphasizes the importance of ensuring that life extension technologies become accessible to all, addressing potential inequalities in access and distribution.