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Name: davida
Status: N/A
Age: N/A
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: Around 1993
Question:
What causes aging to occur?


Replies:
A deep and far-reaching question! Aging is indeed programmed (a part of normal development). It is moderated by a complex interaction of hormones to a large extent. Yet, diet (fats), metabolism (production of free radicals), and being over-weight all seem to contribute to aging. I personally doubt we will be able to stop aging, but we might be able to slow its progress, particularly at certain stages, if we can find more pieces. Perhaps there are some future researchers who are reading this answer who will add greatly to our understanding and find a kind of "fountain of youth" for future generations.

Lou Harnisch

Aging and death may have evolutionary advantages. Certainly if a race did not die off except when killed that would slow its evolution and genetic adaptation to an environment. Perhaps aging allows the newer genetic models a better chance to adapt since limited resources are not consumed by older genetic models. I do admit this is not strictly science, it probably is merely speculative.

Psych


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