Life extension and the burden of mortality : Leon Kass versus John Harris

Document Type

Journal article

Source Publication

Journal of Medical Ethics

Publication Date

5-1-2014

Volume

40

Issue

5

First Page

336

Last Page

340

Publisher

B M J Group

Keywords

Attitudes Toward Death, Enhancement, Research Ethics, Technology/Risk Assessment

Abstract

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.

DOI

10.1136/medethics-2013-101438

Print ISSN

03066800

E-ISSN

14734257

Publisher Statement

Copyright © 2014 BMJ Publishing Group

Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.

Full-text Version

Publisher’s Version

Language

English

Recommended Citation

Sauchelli, A. (2014). Life extension and the burden of mortality: Leon Kass versus John Harris. Journal of Medical Ethics, 40(5), 336-340. doi: 10.1136/medethics-2013-101438

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