Science of Aging: Recommended Reads and Serious Speculation

Factual Questions
1

Greetings, Dopers and Dopets*.

I come to you asking a question about human aging. I am looking for some books on the science of aging, whether it be leading theories or just speculation.

I am curious how I will age, but I don’t necessarily know the factors involved in that. If you could enlighten me I would appreciate it.

Funny, I haven’t put anything in question format and yet I am asking a question. I apologise for that.

Simply Human,

~S.P.I.~

*Your pets, if they happen to be reading with you.

[This may be the wrong place to post this.]

2

I don’t know of any books about it, but that’s because I try to stay current by reading magazines. For instance, here’s a Science News article (Faulty Fountains of Youth I hope you can see the article) on stem cells and their effects on aging that I found rather interesting. Is that the kind of thing you are looking for?

3

Aubrey de Grey has a good take on aging:

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/aubrey_de_grey_says_we_can_avoid_aging.html

4

There is a chapter on aging and death in 13 things that don’t make sense by Micheal Brooks.

5

I’ve heard a very good lecture by Michael West on the subject. I haven’t read it but I assume his book is pretty good.

6

I’ve read that one theory is that aging is a large and diffuse group of genetic diseases that appear later in life, and there is no evolutionary pressure to eliminate them.

I think it’s also obvious that there is evolutionary pressure to ensure death some time after the useful reproductive years (which in this context include the years one helps one’s progeny succeed). A species that lived forever would crowd out its own young. And, a species that lived a little too long would create a little extra crowding presure on its young, which is more relevant given the marginal way evolution works.

7

Unfortunately I have to be a subscriber to read it. Thank you so much, though, for trying!

And thank you everyone for your suggestions. I truly do appreciate it!

Napier: Interesting. I have never heard it said in that way before. Do you happen to remember where you read that?

8

I have ordered both The Immortal Cell and 13 Things That Don’t Make Sense from the library. It will be here within the week.