Human Growth Hormone (hGH) has been hailed as the fountain of youth that can reverse the effects of ageing. The anti-ageing value of hGH is, however both applauded and challenged by the medical industry. This essay will discuss the 3000 year old history and the newly emerging modern anti-ageing industry. Along with clinical trials, which study the effects caused by Human Growth Hormone and Growth Hormone Releasers (GHR) are mentioned, the hGH marketing campaign will throw some light on the benefits of hGH and GHR’s. Issues such as health and ageing will also be explored. It will be argued that the benefits of GHR’s need to be counterbalanced against a healthy lifestyle to determine its value.
Anti-ageing obsession has a 3000 year old history and remains one of the largest in the world. From the Egyptians who had their bodies mummified, snake oil salesmen promoting potions and invasive procedures such as human testis transplants, grafted ovaries and injections of sex glands that professed to slow, reverse and extend the human life span. Later, more sophisticated modern day anti-ageing products that promote scientific discovery as a basis for their effectiveness such as, intestinal purification, oxygen therapy, mineral and ozonised waters and filters, vitamins and health supplements and human growth hormone and growth hormone releasers. With the emergence of modern day anti-ageing medicine claims of longevity and vitality by slowing, stopping or reversing human ageing appeals to those who want to hide or fight ageing (Binstock, 2004, pp. 523-524). However, according to Olshansky, Hayflick and Perls (2004, pp. 513-514), claims to slow, stop or reverse ageing are questionable when no biological indicator can be found to measure biological age and consequently no empirical data to suggest ageing in humans can be altered. Despite this, advances in scientific research have provided some fundamental information on the basic mechanisms of ageing, and given time may lead... [continues]
Anti-ageing obsession has a 3000 year old history and remains one of the largest in the world. From the Egyptians who had their bodies mummified, snake oil salesmen promoting potions and invasive procedures such as human testis transplants, grafted ovaries and injections of sex glands that professed to slow, reverse and extend the human life span. Later, more sophisticated modern day anti-ageing products that promote scientific discovery as a basis for their effectiveness such as, intestinal purification, oxygen therapy, mineral and ozonised waters and filters, vitamins and health supplements and human growth hormone and growth hormone releasers. With the emergence of modern day anti-ageing medicine claims of longevity and vitality by slowing, stopping or reversing human ageing appeals to those who want to hide or fight ageing (Binstock, 2004, pp. 523-524). However, according to Olshansky, Hayflick and Perls (2004, pp. 513-514), claims to slow, stop or reverse ageing are questionable when no biological indicator can be found to measure biological age and consequently no empirical data to suggest ageing in humans can be altered. Despite this, advances in scientific research have provided some fundamental information on the basic mechanisms of ageing, and given time may lead... [continues]
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