Re: longevity

From: J. R. Molloy (jr@shasta.com)
Date: Sat Nov 20 1999 - 19:49:18 MST


Curt Adams wrote,
>Longer lifespan with no disadvantages would be selected for, roughly to the
>point where only a negligeable number of mice would survive that long due to
>other causes (a lot less than 200 years, I'd think). If the effects of the
>gene are more complex (only works if a particular set is in the organism,
>useless or harmful otherwise) then selection is less reliable, hence weaker
>and the effect "gives out" earlier.

When the effect gives out, do the descendents of long-lived mice return to their
former (and shorter) lifespans?

>Of course longer lifespan may have costs. In the Rose lab, the long-lived
>strains take longer to develop and lay fewer eggs in the first part of life.

So, shorter life cycle strains would outperform long-lived strains?

Appreciatively,

--J. R.



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