358 RüdigerKunow
Muchofthediscussionaboutpredictivegenetictestingisphrasedin
terms of a "vertical" passing on of heritable genetic material from one
generation to the next. While this is an undeniably important aspect of
genetic editing (and the one to be realized soon) there is also a
horizontal, relational dimension to enhancement. This dimension which
raises important questions in late life and disability contexts is often
overlooked but essential for all manner of social and cultural praxis in
theshadowofgeneticenhancement.Andwhilethelion'sshareofpublic
attention to genetic enhancement has been going to fetuses and
newborns, aging and old age mark the other pole of enhancement
projects. And here again, genetic interventions contain a utopian
promise: Being able to arrest, even better topreempt, the aging process
wouldmeanthathumankind'sancientdreamofthefountainofyouth,of
eternal life, would become reality. An example with a likely potential
for the future is an anti-aging procedure called MGF (Mechano-growth
factor).^54 MGF is a splice variant of the insulin-related IGF-1protein
which regulates a naturally occurring hormone produced after exercise
that stimulates muscle production. It adds stem cells or rather their
nucleiintothemuscleandisstimulatedbyphysicalinjuryorbyexercise
which is the reason why it has been used in bodybuilding. Genes for
MGF are transcribed to a lesser degree as people age, which is why
muscle mass decreases in the elderly. Studies of elderly men have
shown(orclaimtohaveshown)thatMGF-treatmenttobuildupmuscles
would reverse this process, at least in part, and thus allow older people
to remain able-bodied and independent much longer. However, as of
now,these claimshave not been conclusively proven (Goldspink 9-11).
In their study of the aging processes of Japanese businessmen, Yoneiet
al. from the Japanese Anti-Aging Medical Research Center likewise
focusedonIGF-1.TheyfoundthatIGF-1levelsweredirectlyrelatedto
thephysicalbutalsomentalwellbeingoftheseexecutives,regardlessof
theirbiologicalage(67).
(^54) MGF is the product of gene splicing; as of now, it is a research chemical
whose introduction into humans is as yet prohibited. For a more detailed
description cf. Russian Star. "Mechano Growth Factor (MGF)."Evolutionary.
Evolutionary.org, 2014. Web. 30 June. or " MGF (C-terminal) 5mg."Peptide
Sciences. Highly Purified Peptides.PeptideSciences.com, 2017. Web. 30 June
2017.;cf.alsoSegal176-77.