In accordance to scientists, there now exist a test that can genetically predict if a person will be able to reach his 100th birthday.

Researchers of Yale University and Boston University Schools of Public Health and Medicine, Boston Medical Center, IRCCS Multimedica found in Milan in Italy had undertaken this study. This research claims that, based on the age of the subject, it is able to forecast an outstanding lifespan with up to 80% of accuracy.

According to this research, centenarians are role models of aging healthily, for the start of disability in such persons is in most cases delayed till they have reached their mid-90s.

Due to the fact that an extraordinary prolonged lifespan can run powerfully in families as well as because several studies on animals have implied that strong genes have an impact on an extended lifespan, the scientists embark on their journey to establish which are those genetic variants that have a strong role to play in man survival after his 100 years.

The research discovered that subjects who had common profile of deviation for genetic markers seem to share comparable degrees of threat for different traits or illnesses linked with outstanding longevity.

Individuals sharing such genetic characteristics may look forward to enjoy longer lives. The research may moreover provide an explanation as to why living more than 100 years old seems to run in the blood.

The findings of this study are the amended version of the work that was initially published the previous year in Science. The first version was withdrawn voluntarily. The most recent version comprises of data from very old individuals, with a mean age of 107.

An associate professor of medicine, Thomas Perls, of the Boston University School of Medicine, portrayed the results of the study as being a constructive move towards significant predictive medicine as well as personal genomics.

He advanced that when researchers are able to so this type of analysis on a complete genome series for traits which have considerable genetic mechanisms, the predictive significance should be much more.

Dr Perls went on to say that more in-depth research regarding such genetic traits could provide a profound understanding of the biological and genetic sources of postponing or avoiding age-related illnesses and thus attaining an extended lifespan.

This novel methodology regarding genetic data is applicable to several other complicated inherited characteristics. Researchers are now hoping that other research teams to apply these approaches to their fact and figures.

Source: New Zealand Herald

Anti Aging, Gerontology, Health And Aging, Longevity

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Is it really possible – Dog 182 years old?

We all know that one human year is equivalent to seven dog years but is it really possible to live to 182 years. Based on reasonable evaluation of gerontology research, we could estimate the real lifespan of Pusuke to have been 100 to 110 years old

for dogs, the physiological and chronological age doesn’t follow a linear relationship. Apparently, young dogs tend to age very fast, while the rate of aging does thereafter slow down in middle age. In late life, the aging process re-accelerates, as for instant:

- A Miniature Poodle is after one calendar year equivalent to 11 dog years old
- A Miniature Poodle is 42 dogs years at middle age, while 14 human years is equivalent to 67 years
- For Great Danes – with shorter lifespan – after one calendar year the dog is 27 years
- Great Danes at 7 years is equivalent to 59 dog years and at 14 years, 98 dog years.

Longevity of Dogs

For mammals such as dogs, their longevity is influenced by various factors such as body weight and breed. Small dogs tend to outlive bigger dogs. This shows that there is an inverse relation between longevity and body weight. This is something that applies uniquely for dogs, as for other mammals the contrary applies.

Researchers Forgot the Cat!

There is less research available on cat age in association to human age. But a Siamese cat is believed to have lived up to 23 years.

Related Articles:

1. Your Dog’s Lifespan Is Determined by Its Personality
2. What Can Human Beings Learn From Dogs Regarding Longevity?

Source: WEB MD

Bioscience, Gerontology

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Telomeres gives DNA sequences present at the end of chromosomes a protection to sustain cell viability, and also to avoid different chromosomes to mess-up. Several studies have been carried out to comprehend the relation between typical aging and telomere decline. However, no clear evidence has been revealed on humans.

Longevity studies relying on telomere length has commonly been scrutinized only against one to two hallmarks being the lifespan itself of an individual. From University of Glasgow, in UK, ecologist Pat Monaghan and his team found that continuous evaluation of telomere length of zebra Finch’s lifespan clearly showed that the length of telomere were a strong indicator of the lifespan of the bird. The most accurate measures were revealed as per those taken on birds being only 25 days old. The study was recently published in: Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences.

At the Spanish, national Cancer Research Centre in Madrid, María Blasco says that understanding the importance of telomere length as an indicator of longevity is very important. Basco wasn’t involved in the study but as a Chief Scientific Adviser for a Madrid-based company, life length which advertises for their products; measuring telomere lengths as to find an individual’s ‘biological age’

According to Monaghan, the study doesn’t say that you should go and have your telomeres measured. It will take quite some time makes sure that it has the same effect on long-lived species such as humans.

Early Studies, have constantly linked telomere shortening to accelerated ageing as well as diseases such as Dyskeratosis Congenita. However, researchers have been unable to fully link how telomere length affects normal aging. According to Monaghan, previous studies had the weakness that samples were mainly taken from only one individual rather than periodical samples.

Monaghan selected the Zebra finch which is a small Australian bird with a lifespan in captivity of nine years. The relatively short lifespan of the bird made it possible to have astounding results within a single decade. As for human, a similar study would take decades to complete. Although that mouse has an even shorter lifespan, they aren’t really comparable to humans as species with shorter lifespan doesn’t have sophisticated body maintenance mechanisms.

In the study of the Australian birds, a total of 99 zebra finches was included. The finding concluded that longer telomeres were associated with longer lifespan. Apparently, the link was the strongest for birds who were only 25 days – at 25 days a Zebra Finch is almost fully grown – but reliant on their parents for food. However, for humans, it is difficult to find the comparative age.

Monaghan’s team is now trying to determine the reason why the longest telomere at only 25 days does show a more accurate indication of longevity. Is it inheritance or environmental factors, which influence the length of the telomeres? It has been noted that stress tend to fasten the shortening of telomeres.

According to Baird, the fact that telomere length is linked to longevity doesn’t mean that telomeres are the drivers for the aging process. Telomere might simply be a marketer for cellular aging. There are other factors such as weight of the birds that need to be analyzed, to comprehend how other determinants are also influencing lifespan.

Sources: Nature, PNAS PDF and PNAS

Bioscience, Gerontology, Longevity

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Super-centenarians’ (people living to 110 or beyond) are uncommon in the general population. In developed countries only one person out of every 5 million is predisposed to live to 110 years or beyond. An American research team has found evidence showing that genetics seems to be one of the main reasons for extreme longevity.

The current study was categorized as ‘a first-of-a-kind’ where the complete genome sequence of a woman and man aged past 114 years was studied. It was found that they had an equal amount of disease-related genes as the general public.

It was found that the man had 37 genetic mutations, which were related to colon cancer. According to Dr. Thomas Perls, who is the Director of the New England Centenarian Study, mentioned that the man had in his earlier life experienced obstructing colon cancer which hadn’t metastasized when it was treated with surgery. At Boston University Medical Center, Perls said that the man was in good physical and mental condition until his death.

In addition, the woman did also have a high volume of genetic variations, which were directly associated to age-related diseases such as cancer, heart disease and Alzhemier’s disease. But, it was only in her late life; around 108, that she started to develop mild cognitive impairment and congestive heart failure.

Other research teams have found similar finding; suggesting that centenarians have an equal amount of disease-related genes as the overall population. According to Perls, centenarians seem to have longevity-associated genes, which eradicate the negative effect of the disease genes. These longevity variants do either delay disease or in some cases prevent the diseases from even occurring. In most cases, the diseases tend to be delayed, and this enables these people to live almost to the human lifespan limit.

On the 3rd of January 2012, the study was published in the Journal Frontiers in Genetics. The information is also available at U.S National Institute of Health.

Sources: Family Doctor and USA Today

Anti Aging, Gerontology

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A group of research from University of California, San Diego found that good sex can add up to a decade of life expectancy. Satisfying sex can help people in their 80’s to enjoy a high quality of life.

From Stein Institute for Research on Aging at the University of California, San Diego the researchers found that sexual satisfaction for elderly women was highly correlated to successful aging as well as highly quality of life.

This study was released online in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society. The report indicates that quality of life; successful aging and sexual satisfaction were strongly related even in age of 60 to 89 were women experience a decline in physical health.

In the research, 1,235 women who were involved in the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) was scrutinized. WHI has been a major research program sponsored by the National Institute of health since 2003, focusing on finding causes of disability, death, and levels of quality of life for above 160 thousands vigorous post-menopausal women.

In research, groups were stratified into various age groups:

- 60 to 69 years
- 70 to 79 years
- 80 to 89 years

The researchers found at the end of the study that 61 percent of the group aged 80 and above said they had a satisfied sex life.

This same study was given emphasis when published in Indian News, giving various indicators of how sexual life contributes to longevity.

A recent TNN report suggests that regular sex enhance the brain power as well as positive hormone levels of an individual. In addition, orgasm has positive effects to the immune system as well. It strengthens the infection-fighting cells by approximately 20 percent.

Surprisingly, when couple experience orgasms they should hug each other as it facilitate the excretion of oxytocin hormone, which is directly linked to life expectancy.

It is really fascinating, cuddling increase’s people’s longevity, and in addition, being in relation reduces the risk of depression and chronic diseases.

According to the research, cuddling can increase life expectancy by as much as seven years.

Besides, satisfied sex keeps you physically and mentally healthy. It enhances your heart, brain and several hormones.

Men who are involved in at least three or more times of physical relationship in a week have 50 percent less risk of stroke and heart attack.

At any age, sex induces endorphins, which make you feel good and therefore lower stress significantly.

So simply by establishing planned sex a couple can increase their longevity by 2 to more years. Generally, sex is restricted to only night hours, but this need not necessary be so. Couples should enjoy sex whenever they feel the moment is right.

In addition, healthy food is essential for an individual to be able to have an enhanced sexual performance, and therefore, healthy food is directly and indirectly linked to longevity.

If you aren’t used to practice exercise, than sex can help you to boost the blood circulation and to burn some calories. Good sex can provide the same benefit as regular exercises.

So the prescription for planned sex provides the same benefits as regular exercises; 20 minutes of active sex can augment your metabolism and burn 30 calories.

For the case, of women sex does also reduce the risk of osteoporosis problems. Apparently, middle-aged women who have sex weekly have as much as 100 percent stronger protection to bones (Oestrogen levels) in contrast to women who do not have regular sex.

So a balance diet can boost the endurance, and thereafter help to promote satisfied sex experienced, which are pleasurable and at the same time fun.

It is a great strategy to add another decade to your life expectancy; satisfied sex life.

Source: India blooms

Anti Aging, Gerontology, Health And Aging, Longevity

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According to Dr. Michael Roizen, U.S President age twice as fast as typical American men. Roizen is sure about his finding, as a top graduated student in his UC San Francisco Medical School class as well at Harvard Hospital. He has also edited six medical journals and do actually occupy the post as chairmen at the Well Institute at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic.

Most of his calculations are explained on the site he founded together with Dr. Mehmet Oz; RealAge (www.realage.com). ndar year isn’t always tantamount to the annual wear and tear of all human bodies. For example, Dr. Roizen is currently 65 years based on the calendar year. However, RealAge estimates his age to be 43.8 (Dec, 2011)

Roizen applied the same mental models used to estimate his age to that of the 20th century presidents (Including George W. Bush as well as President Obama’s Inauguration). In an interview with ‘CNN’, he said that an individual does in generally age one year in a calendar year. Yet, a president tends to age two years for every single year that they occupy the office.

The fact that presidents are faced with an accelerated aging process was mentioned again in CBS News on Obama’s 50th birthday in August 2011..

Professor S. Jay Olshansky who is a sociologist from the University of Illinois at Chicago’s school of Public Health as well as well-known research from the University of Chicago’s Center of Aging found these publications interesting. Olshansky is currently researching limits of human longevity, in line with policy as well as health consequences.

So Olshansky reviewed the information provided by Roizen and provided a new evaluation of how fast presidents really age in America.

In order to establish an accurate set of date, he found the age of the presidents on the day of inauguration to the office. Then evaluate the aging schedule up to the cause of death. Of course, presidents who were killed were not taking into consideration in the study. On the basis of the age at inauguration to the office, the ‘life tables provided from the Social Security Administration’ was used to estimate the remaining life expectancy of presidents. Example for president, who served the office in the period 1700 as well as 1800s, the French Human Mortality Database was used as no particular records were available for U.S at that time. However, he altered the life expectancy figures for presidents by removing two days of the potential remaining lifespan of the presidents as per every one day spent in the White House.

There were 34 presidents who actually deceased from natural causes. Out of the 34, 23 of the presidents lived longer than the altered life expectancy (alteration accounting for accelerated aging). The average age at death was 67 years base on calculation while, in reality, the average lifespan was 78 years. Yet 11 presidents died earlier than the average life-expectancy of 67.8 years they died at the age of 62.1 years.

The whole study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Associate

Olshansky noted that 60 percent of the U.S presidents lived longer than was expected. In addition, most of the presidents alive today had already or were likely to live beyond the predicted lifespan.

According to Olshansky, there are two particular reasons, which can explain why U.S presidents live longer than their estimated longevity:

1. To become president, all the men in the study had already lived the most dangerous years of life.

2. All except 10 presidents have other factors contributing longevity such as wealth, college education and access to quality medical care.

As a conclusion, Orshansky said that the greying of hair and the appearance of wrinkles on the skin of Presidents is simply something that comes with aging. This study suggests that presidents do only appear to age faster as they do not necessary experience a shorter life.

Source: La Times

Anti Aging, Gerontology, Lifestyle

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Our immune system has been evolving for millions of years. We started walking barefoot having immediate contact to the earth. However, in contemporary society, there are no one who walk barefoot. People use shoes and that separate us from the earth’s energy.

The concept known as ‘earthing’ is one of the safest anti-aging cures. It doesn’t use any sort of technology. The concept is about having the human body to touch the surface of the earth. In such a way that electrons are transmitted from the earth to the body.

The ground can absorb and eliminates electrical charges, as it is a conductive object. In other words, unwanted or excess electrical charges can be drained to the earth.

A recent study, which started some 10 years ago, shows that it is important to earth the human body. It plays a fundamental role in improving functioning, reducing inflammation and prevents bad physiological processes. Earthing produces a positive change in the state of electrical currents inducing a self-regulating and self-healing taxonomy.

What is known?

1. Earthing permit electrons to be transferred to the body
2. Inflammation are produced from free Radicals
3. Electrons can neutralize free radicals (irrespective of the source of the electrons)
4. Electrons constitute antioxidants power to neutralize.

Electron deficiency can cause pain, inflammation and sickness. Studies show that earth’s ground might be one of the best natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidants available.

Earthing?

Earthing is a simple process of simply walking barefoot or even working, sleeping or sitting on the ground. In contrary to our typical modern lifestyle which is disconnected from the earth, we are separated from the earth, as we rarely touch the ground. If it is our socks, it is our sandals or shoes.

Those who have incorporated earthing into their daily routine life has reported the following benefits:

1. Improved Blood pressure
2. Less headache – Stress – muscle tension
3. Better sleep
4. More energy
5. Less inflammation (inflammation is the cause of several chronic illnesses)
6. Reduces menstrual and hormonal symptoms
7. Promote better respiratory, immune, digestive and cardiovascular system

Earthing is something very simple and is good for various human physiologies. This is a revolutionary approach that brings us back to our adjustable evolution.

Do earthing whether you are sick or well, you can take a swim in the ocean or simply walk around. It is naturally good for your health. Note that we all benefits, but the result might vary from one individual to another. There are those who benefit immediately, other gradually.

Source: Earthing

Gerontology, Health And Aging, Lifestyle

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Based on scientific research in both medicine and computer science, there are lots of authors that predict that humans could really live forever. For example, a British gerontologist by the name Aubrey de Grey believes that gerontology, the “ageing science”, has made huge steps in annihilating ageing; so huge and fast that, in 2008, he said that the first millennial child had already been born.

Another famous futurologist, the American Ray Kurzweil, wrote a book in which he also predicted immortality, but in a different manner. Published in 2005, “The Singularity Is Near” refers to a special moment in the development of artificial intelligence, when the human mind could be “downloaded” into hard drives and, consequently, operates in an artificial form until the end of time. Kurzweil so strongly believes his prediction that he has embarked on a vegetarian dieting and workouts, hoping he would live forever-up to 2030 – the year his foretell would fulfill.

Living “alive” or in a computer memory could prove, in the end, of total futility, dare other specialists say. A counter-strike theory was developed by academics who showed that, paradoxically, ageing and dying are for the better advantage of the species; though these processes are far from any individual human’s desire. For the Homo sapiens in general ageing and dying are profitable, because they contribute to adaptability and thus to the historical survival of mankind.

In other words, the counter-theory pretends that mortal people could exterminate the “immortals,” on a long-range period, leading to the restore of mortality.

The one to arbitrate the two currents was the evolutionary biologist Andre Martins of the University Of Sao Paolo Brazil. In a computer model, he simulated two antagonistic groups, competing over the control of a territory. Martins succeeded to prove that the “mortal” population could have the upper hand, in certain conditions. Martin filled a square with an equal number of blue (“mortals) and red (“immortals) dots; in the end, following the logic pattern and the conditions furnished by the software. The blue dots on the model square managed to “kill” their “enemies” and “conquer” most of the red territory.

Andre Martin's simulations 'pitted' two populations - one red, one blue - against one another, simulating their lives as they battled to 'control' an environment. Under some circumstances, it can be an 'advantage' for a species to 'prune' itself by dying

Source of Image: Daily Mail

Any computer model is far from having the complexity of natural phenomena; this proved to be true with Martins’ simulation, too: his populations acted very differently under very small software tweaks. In the initial stage, the “immortals” were in advantage (at least, those who were not killed in accidents). Then, Martins introduced random elements (mutations, for example) and found out that the balance tilted towards the “mortals.” The computer model showed that aging and dying helps our specie to adapt.

According to the Brazilian Scientists, as more random elements were introduced – such as mutations – the populations that were exposed to aging had benefits over the immortals. In other words, mutation is an explanation of why we age. In addition, it illustrates our inadequate understanding in how eliminating aging can alter our complex natural world.

Martin concluded that immortality of species can drive it own existence into extinction. Changes in mutation, is something that human adapts to as long as we reproduce, and die. Our future generation do slightly adapt to new conditions and changes.

Of course, Martins’ mathematical modeling aroused reactions. Bryan Appleyard, the author of the best-selling “How to Live Forever – or Die Trying” has attacked Martins’ conclusion: Saying that currently death doesn’t induce significant evolution. Our genes simply genes simply impoverish after our mid-twenties – followed by falling health.

According to Bryan Appleyard, the real world experience is likely going to be quite different from Martins’ computer model. The more common disadvantage of immortality is boredom of the mind. So a good reason to die might ironically be that people feel bad of being themselves to long.

Source: Daily Mail

Anti Aging, Gerontology, Longevity

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A newly born Australian baby girl could very well look forward to living up to 100 years even in the present day, owing to the developments in medical expertise; standard of living and health services offered the general public.

Now with the introduction of new therapies of stem cells; the development of new medicines to enable the human body to heal itself is reaching higher levels of applications.

Professor Smith, who is the UNSW Medicine Dean, said that the current circumstances offer a lot of hope that the human race would be able to enjoy an increase in longevity by a few decades. He said that being alive for as long as 150 years may feel scary to some. However, it would be an excellent experience provided you are fit and fine until the last years of your life. According to him, the objective is not merely to squeeze out additional years but to also provide for long and healthy years.

However, the main topic of discussion of Professor Smith’s lecture on 17th October 2011, bearing the title ‘Happy and healthy ageing: paradox or possibility?’ was, the grave challenges that society would have to face due to increased lifespan of humans.

The professor said that people would surely not wish to spend several decades at home doing nothing after retiring from their duties at the age of 65.

Oxford University neuroscientist Baroness Susan Greenfield also predicts that people would start to have more than one career. Some people would begin their second careers at the age of 65 and engage in knowledge oriented activities rather than physical jobs.

However, for people to survive up to an age of 150 years the priority should be to deal with conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. If these aging diseases aren’t addressed than longer life would result as a social and economic disaster, she said.

Harvard University’s ageing expert from Australia, David Sinclair, said that the pace at which the human body age is controlled by a cluster of genes. According to him, the human body’s ability to heal itself is remarkable.

It was shown by Professor Sinclair that red wine contains a plant compound called resveratol, which is capable of adding to the longevity of fungi, worms, flies and mice, by secreting sirtuins – a type of proteins.

GlaxoSmithKline acquired the company co-founded by him in 2008 for a price of 720 Million USD. He said that synthetically generated molecules, which are 1000 times stronger than resveratol, are being clinically tested on humans suffering from age-related ailments such as Diabetes 2, and they are proving to be capable of producing early side-effects. The first and foremost objective of the trials is to deduce medicines to heal the aged sick people and after that, try to postpone the setting in of age-related disorders. He said that although it is a too early stage in the trials, they seem to be witnessing the start of a revolutionary technology that could soon enable humans to touch an advance age of 150 years.

In September 2011, scientists from Britain questioned the authenticity of the connection between increased lifespan in worms and flies, and sirtuins. This was reported in the international journal ‘Nature’.

To this, Professor Sinclair responded by saying that even though ageing is such an area of science which generates a controversy even today, he has confidence in the strong foundation upon which his team’s research stands. – Human lifespan is likely to continue to increase.

Source: SMH

Gerontology, Longevity

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A study shows that even if there are no changes in the overall hereditary constituency of roundworms. They can pass on the characteristic such as an increased lifespan to their offspring via genes.

While it is uncertain if humans can be influenced in a similar manner, it was observed by the study organiser from Stanford University, Anne Brunet, that human lifespan was later found to be affected by the very genes which influenced that of roundworms. She said that in various instances, this species of worms has been a good example for the human species. Humans have a lifespan which is 2,000 times the length the worm.

Whether the process exhibited by the nematode species ‘Caenorhabditis elegans’ applies to species such as rodents and fish, which follow an evolution pattern similar to humans, is currently being examined by Anne’s team. This kind of phenomenon, where offspring inherits only the changes in the usage of the DNA rather than changes in the DNA, itself, is known as ‘Epigenetic Inheritance’. Along with the development of animals, minute marks, the likes of Post-its, highlight their genes and protein constituents, instructing which DNA strands to be replicated without any modifications in the basic structure. With the birth of their offspring, the marks are supposed to change, but some remain constant.

According to Anne Brunet who is from Stanford University, and the lead author of the study says that the concept of epigenetic inheritance plays a significant part in intricate characteristics such as extended lifespan, and also ailments such as Cancer, Diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. She says that these conditions are influenced by our genes and also the way we care for ourselves, but the traits and actions of our forefathers are also something which we need to consider.

Processes such as reprogramming cells into stem cells or cloning are highly dependent on retaining and/or eliminating certain of these epigenetic marks could be improvised with the aid of genetic studies. In due course, these marks can even be altered by experts in order to increase lifespan or bring down the possibility of diseases that are hereditary.

The international journal ‘Nature’ published this newest discovery on 19th October 2011. It all started with Brunet’s student Eric Greer and his experiment with nematodes exhibiting changes in the genomic sequence; in one out of three genes; SET-2, WDR-5 and ASH-2. This set of genes dictates the packaging of our DNA. Apparently, it altered our genes from compact structure into a loosely bound form where the sequence could easily be identified.

A disorder in one out of the three genes can cause several strands of genes to clamp together. This makes it difficult to reach several of the genes available and even those responsible for the process of ageing. The result is astounding – a 20 to 30 percent increase in the life span of the worms was experienced with having one of the genes faulty. .

The breeding of these genetically altered worms was carried out by Greer in such a manner that a part of their next generation carried the same pattern of genes. However, in spite of the DNA being normal, the offspring exhibited a longer lifespan. This pattern was repeated thrice. Recently, epigenetic inheritance has been observed in many instances by experts, such as, color of hair in mice, symmetrical flower patterns and many similar things. Brunet, however, said that they did not expect that it could be possible to inherit an intricate characteristic such as increased lifespan by techniques, which were non-genetic.

University of Adelaide’s Professor Emma Whitelaw praised the beauty of the discovery. She said that epigenetic inheritances spanned across multiple generations have many controversial ideas attached to it, and it is not easy to eliminate genetic disparities that are not detected.

However, in the research conducted by Greer, the discontinuation of longevity trend after three generations suggests that it is unlikely that DNA changes are involved. Whitelaw said that these developments will encourage scientists to explore the idea in a more serious manner.

The concept of epigenetic inheritance is frequently viewed as a revolutionary step in the history of evolution. It appears to take us back to Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, whose opinions were disregarded as incorrect, when he put forth the idea that parental characteristics could be inherited by the offspring.

Brunet said that, owing to the newly found facts that change in genes can be transmitted the next three immediate generations, people finally have understood that genes don’t dictate everything. However, this does not imply that Lamarck’s views were correct; it is now clear that some characteristics are influenced by epigenetic impressions.

Leiden University Medical Center’s Dr. Bas Heijmans emphasized on the fact that modern understanding of evolution is by no way contradicted by epigenetic inheritance. If it improves the success rate of an organism in passing forth its genes, then it will be allowed to evolve by natural selection – Darwinian fitness.

By alerting the forthcoming generation before time, of the issues being faced by the present lot of organisms, epigenetic inheritance could present them with a temporary benefit. For instance, in case of famine, passing the information ahead could prove beneficial, said Brunet.

It is impossible to estimate the implications of this in the long run. The discontinuation of the extended lifespan of the worms bred by Greer after three generations is similar to most of the other instances of epigenetic inheritance. The species are not likely to endure a permanent impact. Brunet said that this phenomenon is not a permanently evolving thing.

Related articles:
1. Stress a Natural Phenomenon, which is passed on to Future Generations through Epigenetic
2. We Can Be In Charge Of Our Genes
3. Epigenomic Changes in DNA methylation and Histone Actylation
4. Programmed Epigenomic Changes

Source: Guardian

Anti Aging, Gerontology, Longevity, Stem cells

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