Expert: Walter Hintz - 3/16/2010

Question
QUESTION: Mr. Hintz,

Aging, at least from my research, is a mystery. I don't know if this is answerable but has the process of aging been known to evolve? In other words, do we age the same way our species did a billion years ago? Finally, if I were to write a paper on my research on a topic would I be taken seriously since I'm only 17? Thanks!

Mark

ANSWER:   Hi Mark: First of all the aging process is inevitable and we do not know anything about aging in prehistoric humans. Fossil studies indicate a shorter life span and perhaps they never got old.
When we speak about biological evolution we are talking about changes in the DNA. Changes in the aging process are another thing so I would hesitate to say that the aging process has evolved.
I cannot speak for others as to whether or not they would take you seriously but as for the important thing is the quality of your work and not your age that is important.. Go for it

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Mr. Hintz,

You said aging doesn't evolve. But what about this:
http://ouroboros.wordpress.com/2009/06/04/did-aging-evolve-to-prevent-epidemics/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolution_of_ageing

Mark

Answer
These articles contend that the factors that bring about the aging process are apart of human evolution. Everything about us is the result of evolution even getting old. The production of radical ions (that speed up aging) during metabolism is a result of the chemistry involved. I cannot see where this chemistry can be traced to mutations
 Assigning a purpose to this (i.e. did aging evolve to prevent epidemics) is teleological and seems far fetched.