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Biology and Evolution of Aging: Implications for Basic Gerontological Health Research

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Calvin B. Harley
Calvin B. Harley
Affiliation:
McMaster University
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Abstract

The maximum lifespan of different animal species is genetically determined. Many biochemical and physiological systems which influence longevity have apparently evolved to regulate growth and development in a way which maximizes fitness given the ecological niche and constraints on the species. The diversity of individual genetic effects on aging makes it unlikely that either extrinsic factors such as nutrition and medicine or genetic intervention will have dramatic effects on the maximum lifespan of a species, in spite of significant qualitative effects on individuals. However, understanding the fundamental genetic determinants of senescence may be of particular importance to the treatment and or prevention of age associated problems involving tissue degeneration and/or cancer. Considerable investment in basic biological research on both aging and developmental processes is needed before this understanding can be achieved.

Résumé

La durée maximum de la vie chez différentes espèces d'animaux est génétiquement déterminée. Plusieurs systèmes biochimiques et physiologiques qui influencent la longévité ont de toute évidence évolué pour régulariser la croissance et le développement de façon à maximiser la forme physique, compte tenu de la niche écologique et de toutes les contraintes qui agissent sur les différentes espèces. Puisque toute une série de facteurs génétiques individuels interviennent au niveau du vieillissement, il est peu probable qu'un petit nombre de facteurs extrinsèques tel l'alimentation et la médecine ou encore l'intervention génétique réussissent à changer sensiblement la durée maximum de la vie de l'espèce en général, malgré les changements considérables qui se produisent sur une base individuelle. Cependant, une connaissance approfondie des déterminants génétiques fondamentaux de la sénéscence semble particulièrement importante au niveau du traitement et de la prévention de problèmes associés au vieillissement et reliés à la dégénération des tissus et/ou au cancer. Toutefois, pour arriver à cette fin, une somme considérable devra être investie au profit des recherches de base dans la biologie du vieillisement et des processus de formation.

Keywords

genetic effectslongevityresearch policy
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 7 , Issue 2 , Summer/Été 1988 , pp. 100 - 113
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1988

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