longevity

Examines the aging process, from natural processes to technological developments, and describes past and present research on extending the human life span. Includes photographs, illustrations, a glossary, and Internet links.

Draws on psychological and medical studies to identify the character traits that contribute to longevity and explores how people can adopt those traits to improve their own health and well-being.

Discusses aging theories, age-related diseases, antiaging medicine, the history of gerontology, the search for longevity genes, and geriatrics, and presents overviews of related topics, including eukaryote cells, recombinant DNA, gene therapy, and the Human Genome Project.

Looks at possible future methods for prolonging life, such as genetic engineering and the use of artificial body parts. Also discusses robots, artificial intelligence, cybernetics, cloning, and other technologies.