Relax as there's no need to steel yourself for some turgid philosophical inquiry into why me since the scope is much larger with an inquiry into why anyone. Essentially this is the question science has asked since the time of Darwin, if your natural selection is so damn good then why do we still die. That seems a fair question, mates, when natural selection calls for the best and brightest to survive so it seemingly should address the matter but it doesn't.
Onward to some science.
C. elegans.
Credit: © heitipaves / Fotolia
Researchers at the Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB) in Mainz, Germany, have made a breakthrough in understanding the origin of the ageing process. They have identified that genes belonging to a process called autophagy -- one of the cells most critical survival processes -- promote health and fitness in young worms but drive the process of ageing later in life. This research published in the journal Genes & Development gives some of the first clear evidence for how the ageing process arises as a quirk of evolution. These findings may also have broader implications for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease where autophagy is implicated. The researchers show that by promoting longevity through shutting down autophagy in old worms there is a strong improvement in neuronal and subsequent whole body health.
Science Daily: Why we did not evolve to live forever
This doesn't mean me but it well might mean you. The literal meaning of autophagy is consumption of self which is revolting in consideration but vital for life in terms of eliminating damaged parts of your system.
Maybe this is deeper into the science than you really want but be advised it gets deeper and the interested student is recommended to pursue the source link.
As Charles Darwin explained, natural selection results in the fittest individuals for a given environment surviving to breed and pass on their genes to the next generation. The more fruitful a trait is at promoting reproductive success, the stronger the selection for that trait will be. In theory, this should give rise to individuals with traits which prevent ageing as their genes could be passed on nearly continuously. Thus, despite the obvious facts to the contrary, from the point of evolution ageing should never have happened. This evolutionary contradiction has been debated and theorised on since the 1800s. It was only in 1953 with his hypothesis of antagonistic pleiotropy (AP) that George C. Williams gave us a rational explanation for how ageing can arise in a population through evolution.
- SD
I have omitted the why of the mechanism and this proceeds with the how.
This evidence has now arrived according to the co-lead author of the paper Jonathan Byrne, "The evolutionary theory of ageing just explains everything so nicely but it lacked real evidence that it was happening in nature. Evolution becomes blind to the effects of mutations that promote ageing as long as those effects only kick in after reproduction has started. Really, ageing is an evolutionary oversight." Jonathan continues "These AP genes haven't been found before because it's incredibly difficult to work with already old animals, we were the first to figure out how to do this on a large scale." He explains further "From a relatively small screen, we found a surprisingly large number of genes that seem to operate in an antagonistic fashion." Previous studies had found genes that encourage ageing while still being essential for development, but these 30 genes represent some of the first found promoting ageing specifically only in old worms. "Considering we tested only 0.05% of all the genes in a worm this suggests there could be many more of these genes out there to find," says Jonathan.
- SD
It seems logical if they can turn off those genes at whatever point in life they become destructive then that will prevent ageing. That's got my interest so I wonder if they think they can do that.
There's much more I have omitted and the recommendation stands for the interested student but let's have the punchline.
In a final revelation, Richly and his team were able to track the source of the pro longevity signals to a specific tissue, namely the neurons. By inactivating autophagy in the neurons of old worms they were not only able to prolong the worms life but they increased the total health of the worms dramatically. "Imagine reaching the halfway point in your life and getting a drug that leaves you as fit and mobile as someone half your age who you then live longer than, that's what it's like for the worms," says Thomas Wilhelm. "We turn autophagy off only in one tissue and the whole animal gets a boost. The neurons are much healthier in the treated worms and we think this is what keeps the muscles and the rest of the body in good shape. The net result is a 50% extension of life."
- SD
Mates, that means living to be two hundred so that's got to have your attention now.
Zen Yogi: one more for the tiger?
Sure, Yogi.
While the authors do not yet know the exact mechanism causing the neurons to stay healthier for longer, this finding could have real world implications. "There are many neuronal diseases associated with dysfunctional autophagy such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease, it is possible that these autophagy genes could represent a good way to help preserve neuronal integrity in these cases," elaborates Thomas Wilhelm. While any such a treatment would be a long way off, assuming such findings could be recapitulated in humans, it does offer a tantalising hope; prevent disease and get younger and healthier while doing it.
- SD
If you will permit a tad of introspection, I never wanted to get old and have abhorred the idea. That thinking wasn't motivated by the basic view of age as in don't trust anyone over thirty but rather it came from the loathing of the idea of sickness and falling dependent for years on someone else. When my life of the preservation of it becomes the ruination of someone else's then it's my view of the worst possible failure.
Ithaka has previously reviewed the love is the ultimate gift since it understands the ultimate sacrifice the deepest love will give. The biggest love must inevitably bring the greatest pain since it's true beyond the need to say it people with such love will do as much to keep their partners alive as they will for themselves.
My rejection of ageing is based on the historical observation that old age is often fraught with all manner of horrible maladies. However, the scientists research toward that which will obtain old age but without the inherent physical breakdown.
Mates, this changes everything.
Zen Yogi: not for you
True, my furry buddy, but I only need to see the Hope; I don't necessarily need to be in it.
Onward to some science.
C. elegans.
Credit: © heitipaves / Fotolia
Researchers at the Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB) in Mainz, Germany, have made a breakthrough in understanding the origin of the ageing process. They have identified that genes belonging to a process called autophagy -- one of the cells most critical survival processes -- promote health and fitness in young worms but drive the process of ageing later in life. This research published in the journal Genes & Development gives some of the first clear evidence for how the ageing process arises as a quirk of evolution. These findings may also have broader implications for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease where autophagy is implicated. The researchers show that by promoting longevity through shutting down autophagy in old worms there is a strong improvement in neuronal and subsequent whole body health.
Science Daily: Why we did not evolve to live forever
This doesn't mean me but it well might mean you. The literal meaning of autophagy is consumption of self which is revolting in consideration but vital for life in terms of eliminating damaged parts of your system.
Maybe this is deeper into the science than you really want but be advised it gets deeper and the interested student is recommended to pursue the source link.
As Charles Darwin explained, natural selection results in the fittest individuals for a given environment surviving to breed and pass on their genes to the next generation. The more fruitful a trait is at promoting reproductive success, the stronger the selection for that trait will be. In theory, this should give rise to individuals with traits which prevent ageing as their genes could be passed on nearly continuously. Thus, despite the obvious facts to the contrary, from the point of evolution ageing should never have happened. This evolutionary contradiction has been debated and theorised on since the 1800s. It was only in 1953 with his hypothesis of antagonistic pleiotropy (AP) that George C. Williams gave us a rational explanation for how ageing can arise in a population through evolution.
- SD
I have omitted the why of the mechanism and this proceeds with the how.
This evidence has now arrived according to the co-lead author of the paper Jonathan Byrne, "The evolutionary theory of ageing just explains everything so nicely but it lacked real evidence that it was happening in nature. Evolution becomes blind to the effects of mutations that promote ageing as long as those effects only kick in after reproduction has started. Really, ageing is an evolutionary oversight." Jonathan continues "These AP genes haven't been found before because it's incredibly difficult to work with already old animals, we were the first to figure out how to do this on a large scale." He explains further "From a relatively small screen, we found a surprisingly large number of genes that seem to operate in an antagonistic fashion." Previous studies had found genes that encourage ageing while still being essential for development, but these 30 genes represent some of the first found promoting ageing specifically only in old worms. "Considering we tested only 0.05% of all the genes in a worm this suggests there could be many more of these genes out there to find," says Jonathan.
- SD
It seems logical if they can turn off those genes at whatever point in life they become destructive then that will prevent ageing. That's got my interest so I wonder if they think they can do that.
There's much more I have omitted and the recommendation stands for the interested student but let's have the punchline.
In a final revelation, Richly and his team were able to track the source of the pro longevity signals to a specific tissue, namely the neurons. By inactivating autophagy in the neurons of old worms they were not only able to prolong the worms life but they increased the total health of the worms dramatically. "Imagine reaching the halfway point in your life and getting a drug that leaves you as fit and mobile as someone half your age who you then live longer than, that's what it's like for the worms," says Thomas Wilhelm. "We turn autophagy off only in one tissue and the whole animal gets a boost. The neurons are much healthier in the treated worms and we think this is what keeps the muscles and the rest of the body in good shape. The net result is a 50% extension of life."
- SD
Mates, that means living to be two hundred so that's got to have your attention now.
Zen Yogi: one more for the tiger?
Sure, Yogi.
While the authors do not yet know the exact mechanism causing the neurons to stay healthier for longer, this finding could have real world implications. "There are many neuronal diseases associated with dysfunctional autophagy such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease, it is possible that these autophagy genes could represent a good way to help preserve neuronal integrity in these cases," elaborates Thomas Wilhelm. While any such a treatment would be a long way off, assuming such findings could be recapitulated in humans, it does offer a tantalising hope; prevent disease and get younger and healthier while doing it.
- SD
If you will permit a tad of introspection, I never wanted to get old and have abhorred the idea. That thinking wasn't motivated by the basic view of age as in don't trust anyone over thirty but rather it came from the loathing of the idea of sickness and falling dependent for years on someone else. When my life of the preservation of it becomes the ruination of someone else's then it's my view of the worst possible failure.
Ithaka has previously reviewed the love is the ultimate gift since it understands the ultimate sacrifice the deepest love will give. The biggest love must inevitably bring the greatest pain since it's true beyond the need to say it people with such love will do as much to keep their partners alive as they will for themselves.
My rejection of ageing is based on the historical observation that old age is often fraught with all manner of horrible maladies. However, the scientists research toward that which will obtain old age but without the inherent physical breakdown.
Mates, this changes everything.
Zen Yogi: not for you
True, my furry buddy, but I only need to see the Hope; I don't necessarily need to be in it.
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