Re : Cornering the causes of aging (was Re: AGING: Accumulation of DNAdamage)

From: CurtAdams@aol.com
Date: Wed Jun 28 2000 - 09:47:11 MDT


In a message dated 6/28/00 6:37:15 AM, cymm@trinidad.net writes:

>BUT, there are also distinct ADVANTAGES to short life...
>the main ones being genetic adaptability because of
>the increased genetic mutation and recombination.

That's not an advantage to short life; it's an advantage to
early reproduction. It causes short lifespan only if early
reproduction and long life are somehow incompatible. In that
case, the incompatibility itself is the main casue of aging
- the tradeoff alone creates aging. The value of recombination
per se would only make a substantial difference for organisms
in fierce coevolutionary struggles (Red Queen races).



This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.5 : Fri Nov 01 2002 - 15:29:34 MST