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The Evolution of Human Longevity: Distinctive Mechanisms?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

S. Pfeiffer
S. Pfeiffer
Affiliation:
University of Guelph
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Abstract

The maximum lifespan (MLS) of Homo sapiens is substantially greater than that of our closest relatives, the non-human primates. Since evolutionary divergence from a common primate ancestor occurred relatively recently, the genetic changes affecting MLS must have occurred quickly. The evolution of MLS is generally explainable as a pleiotropic effect of genetic material that speeds or postpones cellular damage. However, in humans it can be argued that direct selection for longevity is plausible: through mechanisms of personal fitness among males and inclusive fitness among females. A flaw to such an explanatory approach is that it is non-falsifiable.

Résumé

La durée de vie maximale (MLS [Maximum Life Span]) de l'homo sapiens est considérablement plus longue que celle de nos plus proches parents, notamment les primates non-humains. Puisque le mouvement évolutionniste depuis le primate commun ancestral est survenu relativement récemment, les changements génétiques agissant sur le MLS ont done dû également survenir rapidement. L'évolution du MLS s'explique généralement par un effet pleiotropique de substance génétique qui accélère ou renvoie à plus tard toute détérioration cellulaire. Cependant, chez les humains, la notion qu'il pourrait exister une sélection directe visant la longévité semble plausible: chez les hommes, par des mécanismes de santé physique personnelle et chez les femmes, une santé physique équilibrée. Le seul défaut évident retrouvé dans cette ligne de raisonnement est qu'elle est non-falsifiable.

Keywords

AgingEvolutionHuman LongevityMaximum LifespanInclusive Fitness
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 9 , Issue 2 , Summer/Été 1990 , pp. 95 - 103
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1990

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