Contentious terminology and complicated cartography of anti-aging medicine.
Serving as an introduction to the cultural significance of the contemporary emergence of anti-aging medicine, this article outlines some of the distinctions and controversies regarding the usage of the term "anti-aging medicine." By sketching out the complex field of researchers, practitioners, organizations, companies it is clear that "anti-aging medicine" is a highly contentious term that means different things to different groups. Thus, analysis demands a keen attention to contextualizing its usage. However, despite the critically important distinctions in how "anti-aging medicine" is used and what it connotes both to the user and the audience, the core principle of anti-aging is the notion that aging can be targeted for biomedical intervention. It is the orientation toward this explicit goal that marks anti-aging medicine. While neither advocating for/against anti-aging medicine nor excavating the large body of biological literature, this ethnographically researched article explicates the cultural use of "anti-aging medicine" and maps out its main varieties, controversies, stakes, and challenges.
Mykytyn
Courtney Everts
CE
Department of Anthropology, University of Southern California, c/o 5657 Fallston Street, Highland Park, CA 90042, USA. everts@usc.edu
D000375:Aging / Q000187:drug effects*; D000884:Anthropology, Cultural; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000592:standards*; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000145:classification* / Q000592:standards*; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014481:United States
D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations