Exploring the Mystery of Aging: The Biological Basis of Aging and Death

Author: William Clark [USA]
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-06-01
Features: Why do we age? Is aging inevitable? Can the advancement of medical knowledge help us break through the current limits of lifespan and live longer? Since aging has long been an insurmountable obstacle to human survival, these intriguing questions have often appeared more in science fiction than in scientific facts. However, new discoveries in the fields of cell biology and molecular genetics have allowed us to seriously question the assumption that humans cannot control their own lifespan. Based on these new discoveries, renowned cell biologist William R. Clark describes in this book how aging begins at the level of individual cells and how cell replication is linked to the aging of the whole organism. He explores the evolutionary origins and functions of aging, the cellular connections between aging and cancer, the similarities between aging and Alzheimer's disease, and the insights gained from studying genetic diseases that manifest aging symptoms, such as Werner's syndrome. Clark also explains why restricting calorie intake can help increase lifespan and how antioxidants in fruits and vegetables can reduce damage caused by oxidative stress. Finally, the book discusses the social and economic implications of lifespan extension, the role of gene therapy in preventing aging, and what can be learned from cloning experiments. This book is highly readable and addresses some of the most profound and controversial questions we want to explore in the 21st century.