In the vanguard of biomedicine? The curious and contradictory case of anti-ageing medicine.
The rise of anti-ageing medicine is emblematic of the current conditions of American biomedicine. Through in-depth interviews with 31 anti-ageing practitioners, we examine how practitioners strive for-and justify-a model of care that runs counter to what they see as the 'assembly line' insurance-managed industry of healthcare. Their motivation, however, is not merely a reaction to conventional medicine. It is derived from what they see as a set of core beliefs about the role of the physician, the nature of the physician-patient relationship, and the function of biomedicine. We analyse this ideology to underscore how anti-ageing medicine is built on a 'technology of the self', a self in need of constant surveillance, intervention, and maintenance. The ultimate goal is to create an optimal self, not just a self free of illness. A fundamental irony is that, despite their self-presentation and the perception of the public, anti-ageing providers do not use practices that are especially 'high-tech' or unconventional. Instead, the management of ageing bodies rests on providers' perceived knowledge of their patients, tailored treatments, and a collaborative pact between the provider and patient.
Fishman
Jennifer R
JR
Department of Social Studies of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Canada. jennifer.fishman@mcgill.ca
Settersten
Richard A
RA
Flatt
Michael A
MA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D035843:Biomedical Research; D005260:Female; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000639:trends*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011287:Prejudice; D011315:Preventive Medicine / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D036301:Qualitative Research; D044968:Regenerative Medicine / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends