Abstract
As time goes by, individuals are deprived of many of the strengths, assets, and affluences they have edified earlier in life. Somewhat tragically, the loss that comes with age is not always graceful and may bereave human beings from some of their most intimate capacities, among which comprehension, appetite, sensitiveness, swiftness, and elegance. Such loss is likely to affect personal identity , independence , social integration, and wellbeing in many elderly individuals. Moreover, dealing with loss will often require a significant share of material and human resources. Whether we like it or not, life is a losing game.
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Acknowledgements
Grateful acknowledgement is made to all interviewed scientists:
Elaine Dzierzak, Professor of Developmental Biology, director of the Erasmus Stem Cell Institute, ErasmusMC, Rotterdam.
Jenny Gierveld, Professor Emeritus, Department of Sociology and Social Gerontology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam & Honorary Fellow, Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI), The Hague.
Lisette de Groot, Professor of Nutrition and Aging, Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University.
Jan Hoeijmaekers, Professor Molecular Genetics, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, ErasmusMC, Rotterdam.
Albert Hofman, Professor of Epidemiology, Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam.
Michael Müller, professor of Nutrition, Metabolism and Genomics, Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University.
Frans van der Ouderaa, Director for Business Development, LUMC Leiden & Chief Scientific Officer, Leyden Academy on Vitality and Aging. Former Vice President Corporate Research at Unilever.
Joris Slaets, Professor of Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine, Universtity of Groningen.
Eline Slagboom, Professor of Molecular Epidemiology, LUMC Leiden.
André Uitterlinden, Professor of Complex Genetics, Erasmus MC Rotterdam.
Bas Zwaan, Professor of genetics, Head of the Laboratory of Genetics, Wageningen University.
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Pinxten, W. (2013). Built to Last?. In: Schermer, M., Pinxten, W. (eds) Ethics, Health Policy and (Anti-) Aging: Mixed Blessings. Ethics and Health Policy, vol 1. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-3870-6_2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-3870-6_2
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