Life Extension: A Practical Scientific Approach: Difference between revisions

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Revision as of 13:42, 10 November 2010

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{{POV|date=December 2007}}

'''''Life Extension: A Practical Scientific Approach''''' was a 1982 bestselling book (ISBN 0-446-51229-X) by [[Durk Pearson]] and [[Sandy Shaw]] that popularized the [[life extension]] and [[smart drug]] movements.<ref>See ''Rapture: How Biotech Became the New Religion'', by Brian S. Alexander, New York: Basic Books, 2003, ISBN 0738207616, pp. 5&ndash;6.</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Katherine |last=Bishop |publisher=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer newspaper]] |title=FDA fears smart drugs could pose stupid risks |date=1992-06-11 |accessdate=2007-03-01 |url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:SPIB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB04A057A2FC5B9&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated4&req_dat=0D0CB57AB53DF815 }}</ref>

The book increased public awareness of [[Radical (chemistry)|free radical]]s, how they cause aging, and how [[antioxidant]]s partially prevent the damage free radicals do.<ref>{{cite news| first=Dennis |last=Fiely |title='Biochemical bad boys' - Possible causes of disease, free radicals, may have met their match |publisher=Columbus Dispatch |date=1993-09-16 |accessdate=2007-03-01 |url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CLDB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=10E0DA583AA751E0&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated4&req_dat=0D0CB57AB53DF815}} </ref> In the book, the authors describe six causes of aging and recommend ways to slow down five of those. Also presented are several chapters containing methods to improve health and the quality of life in general, from enhancing sex, to improving athletic performance, to improving mental abilities, and how to quit smoking and drinking.

The book increased public awareness ofdiscussed [[Radical (chemistry)|free radical]]s, howand the idea that they cause aging, and how [[antioxidant]]s were said to partially prevent the damage free radicalsthey do.<ref>{{cite news| first=Dennis |last=Fiely |title='Biochemical bad boys' - Possible causes of disease, free radicals, may have met their match |publisher=Columbus Dispatch |date=1993-09-16 |accessdate=2007-03-01 |url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:CLDB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=10E0DA583AA751E0&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated4&req_dat=0D0CB57AB53DF815}} </ref> In theThe book, the authors describe sixsuggests causes of aging and recommend ways to slow downthem, fivewith ofmaterial those.on improving Alsohealth presentedand arevarious severalaspects chapters containing methods to improve health andof the quality of life in general, from enhancing sex, to improving athletic performance, to improving mental abilities, and how to quit smoking and drinking.

== Criticism ==

In the 1992 [[documentary]] ''Never say die: The pursuit of eternal youth'', Antony Thomas interviewed Pearson and Shaw, and criticised the anti-aging movement as misguided.<ref>{{cite news| title=The often gruesome search for perpetual youth |first=Virginia |last=Mann |publisher=The Record newspaper|date=1992-08-17 |accessdate=2007-03-01 |url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:BRCB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB2778DA83E3DCC&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated4&req_dat=0D0CB57AB53DF815 }}</ref> <!--As of 2007, a number of the specific recommendations of the book have been discredited.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}-->

== References ==