Report25th April 2023

The future of ageing: ethical considerations for research and innovation

This report sets out an ethical framework and recommendations for research and innovation related to ageing.

AgeingInfrastructure and culture

Full report (PDF)Short report (PDF) Ethical framework and toolkit (interactive PDF)Summary and recommendations (PDF)

The report identifies the values, principles, and factors that are ethically significant in relation to research that seeks to influence people’s experience of ageing, across these three broad areas:

• Research into biological ageing
• Assistive, monitoring, and communications technologies such as health apps and smart home technologies
• Innovative predictive and diagnostic technologies

We propose an ethical framework to help everyone involved in research
and innovation related to ageing think through the ethical implications of their work
and to suggest practical and actionable steps for change.

Recognising the influence of the wider research ecosystem on the scope for
researchers and others ‘on the ground’ to adopt these approaches, we make 15
recommendations to those with influence on the conduct and publication of research, including the UK Government, research funders, regulators and practitioners.

Our recommendations will help embed an approach that puts the diversity, agency,
and value of older adults firmly at the heart of all research concerned with ageing.