The Evolution of Aging (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: evolvability theory, life span regulation, inheritance efficiency, Charles Darwin, Bighorn Sheep, University of California (more...)

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Product Description

Why do we age? Scientists have been baffled by this question for centuries and disagree regarding even the general nature of aging. Is aging the result of fundamental limitations that apply to all living things, or are organisms designed by nature to age because a limited life span conveys some advantage? All of the theories either fail to fully explain observed animal characteristics or conflict with generally accepted evolution theory. This issue has potentially enormous implications for medicine. If aging is the result of fundamental and unalterable forces of nature, then anti-aging medicine is impossible and anti-aging research is futile and foolish. If aging is imposed by an evolved life span regulation system, then research will likely reveal means for altering the operation of the aging mechanism and thereby improve the treatment of many age-related diseases and conditions. This book provides a historical review of biological aging theories including underlying evolution and genetics issues and describes exciting recent discoveries and new theories that are causing renewed interest in aging-by-design. The author discusses Darwin's theory of evolution as well as more recent proposed modifications such as the selfish gene theory, evolvability theory, and group selection in connection with their effects on aging theory. A chapter is devoted to describing the aspects of modern genetics that have implications for evolution theory including the application of digital information theory to genetics.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Azinet LLC (October 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0978870905
• ISBN-13: 978-0978870904
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,119,055 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating, evenhanded dissection and summary of the oldest legends about aging, April 13, 2007

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Now in an updated second edition The Evolution of Aging: How New Theories Will Change the Future of Medicine is a thoughtful historical review of biological theories that seek to answer the question, "Why do we age?" Written by former NASA engineer Theodore C. Goldsmith, The Evolution of Aging covers evolution theory, historic and traditional theories of aging, digital genetics and evolution theory, discoveries affecting aging theory, new theories of evolution and aging, anti-aging research, flaws in the theories discussed, and much more. Accessible to readers of all backgrounds, The Evolution of Aging is a fascinating, evenhanded dissection and summary of the oldest legends about aging, the latest cutting-edge research, and everything in between.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Why we age, March 21, 2007

By	BookReview.com (Madison, WI United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

It is an undeniable, and undeniably significant, fact that we age. The subject of this book is why we age, and whether this process is as inevitable as the conventional wisdom would have us believe. Its central thesis is that the various currents which weigh against our taking seriously so-called `anti-aging' research are not well-grounded. Goldsmith believes that we need to rethink our preconceived ideas concerning aging, in particular the notion that aging is inevitable and not subject to any sort of biological or medical control.

Along the way to this conclusion we are confronted with a wealth of scientific data, drawn primarily from evolutionary biology. Traditional theories of aging are discussed in some detail, including most prominently accumulation of damage theories. Such accounts hold that aging is the result of the gradual build-up of (usually in themselves) minor sorts of damage to one's body. Goldsmith argues plausibly that traditional theories suffer from a number of possibly crippling defects. For example, most seem to assume that the evolutionary significance of an individual is inversely proportional to its calendar age. Because there are reasons to doubt whether this is true, the traditional theories must come under suspicion.

One problem with the book is that the discussion is rather diffuse and disjointed. The reader often wonders why one topic rather than another is taken up at a given time. Furthermore, while there are many abstract references to scientific results, relatively few citations of actual biological and medical research are provided. Despite these problems, however, the book will be useful to those who would like a general overview of scientific and clinical issues surrounding aging.