This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Heron (talk | contribs) at 06:47, 13 August 2002 (copyedited; set out two alternative theories for the cause of ageing). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 06:47, 13 August 2002 by Heron (talk | contribs) (copyedited; set out two alternative theories for the cause of ageing)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Ageing (also spelt aging) is the process of showing and bearing the effects of increasing age.
The causes of ageing in living beings are debated. One view is that it is due to a particular DNA programming that has the sole purpose to "clean" the earth from old genes and assure offspring better living conditions through benign mutations. Lately research on a worm called Caenorhabditis elegans showed the ability to increase its short life span of about 40% thanks to mutations artificially induced through genetic engineering.
It is also suggested that reactions caused by free radicals in the body are responsible for ageing.