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Essays on Infinite Lifespans
Brad F. Mellon
such as the quest for meaning in old age and the problems of
boredom and depression need to be addressed amid the quest
to conquer death and radically extend life.
Callahan has pointed out problems with viewing death as
an evil and with committing resources and energy toward
a war on death. One of his greatest concerns is how this
war produces casualties, especially terminally ill patients who
extend their suffering by seeking hospice late in the dying pro-
cess. Drane raised the issue that ignoring death can become
problematic for elderly persons who have to face it suddenly
and unexpectedly.
Based on the above discussion, the present writer would like
to offer some proposals for the Institute to consider: First,
the ambitious nature of the mission statement suggests a need
to devote further research to the subject of how death might
be eliminated. New theories can be formulated and explored.
Second, the mission could be extended to include voluntary
as well as involuntary death, which would be compatible with
theological and ethical proscriptions against premature or
unlawful death, including suicide, assisted suicide, euthana-
sia, etc. Third, since it would appear that an effort to radically
extend life is theoretically more attainable than conquering
death; why not commit the greater share of time, energy, and
resources to that end? Fourth, considering quality of life issues
that emerge during the aging process, we would suggest the
Institute seek to address how such problems might be miti-
gated or resolved.