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What Role Genetics Play in Aging

By: Brian Z. Barrett

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It seems that no one knows exactly what causes aging. Scientists have studied possible causes, resulting in various theories, one of which is that genetics do have a certain role to play in the aging process. This role is not the only one, and may not even be a major role, however it is a part of the process of aging and is therefore of interest. Once it is known what causes aging, then certain steps can be taken to push the boundaries, but which steps are taken depend on which theory is considered to be most likely right.

That genetics play a role in aging is more than a theory, since studies and experiments in changing the genes of certain mice have caused them to age much faster than others. What is not known is the percentage that genetics plays in the aging process compared to other factors. Some suggest that it only contributes 30% to aging, while other causes such as environment and hazard factors are the larger percentage.

Mutating certain genes in worms had caused an increase in their lifespan that would translate to about 300 years in humans. It is also known that in Werner?s syndrome, a mutated gene - thought to be involved in DNA maintenance - causes excessive and fast aging in humans. This would seem to point towards the fact that genetics does play a role of some kind in aging.

If those genes that are involved in the aging process are also involved in controlling the damage caused by aging, then such data would support another theory, which is that our lifespan is determined by how much damage is done to our DNA by various body functions like metabolism.

Scientists have found that ingesting fewer calories increases an animal?s lifespan. They think that eating less means there is need for less metabolism and thus less DNA and cellular damage is caused. Most of us have seen those old people who are extremely thin, yet seem to have almost as much energy in their old age as they had in their youth.

While scientists spend billions of dollars trying to find out the causes of aging, we mere mortals simply turn to the Bible and find that the Lord said, ?My Spirit shall not strive with man forever.? Then he reduced our lifespan from 400/500 years down to 120. (Gen.6:3). So whatever ?causes? aging, the prime reason is that it has been decreed by our Creator.

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