Evolutionary Biology of Aging

This unique book looks at the biology of aging from a fundamentally new perspective, one based on evolutionary theory rather than traditional concepts which emphasize molecular and cellular processes. The basis for this approach lies in the fact that natural selection, as a powerful determining force, tends to decline in importance with age. Many of the characteristics we associate with aging, the author argues, are more the result of this decline than any mechanical imperative contained within organic structures. This theory in turn yields the most fruitful avenues for seeking answers to the problem of aging, and should be recognized as the intellectual core of gerontology and the foundation for future research. The author ably surveys the vast literature on aging, presenting mathematical, experimental, and comparative findings to illustrate and support the central thesis. The result is the first complete synthesis of this vital field. Evolutionary biologists, gerontologists, and all those concerned with the science of aging will find it a stimulating, strongly argued account.

The author of this monograph proposes an evolutionary theory of senescence - that the force of natural selection declines proportionally with age after the onset of reproduction. He elaborates with evidence from cell biology, physiology and gerontology. This provocative book on the ageing process examines one of the unsolved problems of biology: why do we grow old? The author answers this question by proposing an evolutionary theory for senescence, suggesting that the force of natural selection declines proportionally with age after the onset of reproduction. He elaborates with evidence from cell biology, physiology, and gerontology. The strength of the book lies in the author's unique ability to synthesize the vast literature of this field into a stimulating and accessible volume.