Why do we age?
This question has bothered scientists for millennia. You may be surprised to hear that there is still scientific disagreement over even the fundamental nature of aging. Although most people think of aging as one of the most immutable and inescapable facts of life there is increasing scientific evidence and theoretical support for the idea that aging will soon be much more amenable to medical treatment than previously thought. This site is intended to provide information and resources describing these developments.
New: Journal Article: Aging, Evolvability, and the Individual Benefit Requirement; Medical Implications of Aging Theory Controversies Journal of Theoretical Biology.
Summary Paper - Theories of Biological Aging and Their Implications for Medicine.
Summary of Aging Theories (Short slide presentation - PDF)
The short book, The Evolution of Aging, is available here for free download. The book covers various theories of aging, summaries of evolution theories, the impact of evolution theory on aging theories, effect of theories and attitudes on anti-aging research, and summaries of many scientific observations that influence thinking on the subject of aging.
Download The Evolution of Aging complete book (PDF file).
Read The Evolution of Aging (HTML version).
New: The
second edition of this book, published October, 2006, is also available in paperback format.
Details:
Paperback, 6" X 9", 200pp, six illustrations ISBN: 0-9788709-0-5
Buy it at Amazon.
See results of our Poll
on Attitudes About Aging.
The journal article, Aging as an Evolved Characteristic - Weismann's Theory Reconsidered provides additional information on adaptive theories of aging.
The aging resources page provides links to sites having information on traditional theories, adaptive theories, relevant discoveries and other subjects mentioned in the book.
EVOLUTION THEORY
Darwin's theory, published in 1859, explained many things about our natural world. Some oppose evolution on religious grounds and propose alternate theories. A number of scientific observations also conflict with details of Darwin's theory.
Evolution Update provides a current overview of the evolution situation including discussions of intelligent design, current scientific issues with evolution theory, and more.
Aging is one of the observed characteristics of animals and humans that conflicted with Darwin's theory. Evolution theory is therefore very central to theories of aging.
Darwin's theory of evolution has some known discrepancies involving observed behaviors and the digital nature of the genetic code. The overview in Digital Genetics and the Theory of Evolution discusses the disagreements and proposed adjustments that primarily affect aging theory.
Summary of Evolvability
Theory of Aging.
Summary of Evolutionary
Aspects of Genetics.