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Mortality invariants and their genetic implications

M Y Azbel'1

  • 1School of Physics and Astronomy, Tel Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|July 22, 1998
PubMed
Summary

Human and fly mortality patterns reveal genetic determinants. Old fly mortality and relative child mortality exhibit invariant patterns, suggesting genetic control over lifespan and biological age.

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Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Demography
  • Biogerontology

Background:

  • Child mortality rates have historically varied significantly, influenced by factors like country and birth year.
  • Understanding the underlying factors of mortality across different species and age groups is crucial for longevity research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate invariant patterns in mortality across different species and age ranges.
  • To apply the concept of invariants from physics to biological mortality data.
  • To estimate the potential for selecting individuals with exceptionally long lifespans (hereditary Methuselahs).

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of old noninbred fly mortality data, observing trends according to an inverse linear law.
  • Calculation of relative child mortality (RCM) for humans aged 1 month to 11 years, comparing data across diverse populations and birth years (1780-1995).
  • Application of the concept of invariants to mortality data from humans and flies.

Main Results:

  • Old fly mortality follows an inverse linear law, converging to a suborder-specific age.
  • Relative child mortality (RCM) demonstrates remarkable consistency across diverse human populations (8% mean accuracy), independent of race, country, sex, or birth year.
  • In contrast to RCM, birth mortality has shown significant changes over the last century in developed countries.
  • The study provides quantitative estimates for the selection of hereditary Methuselahs, individuals with significantly extended lifespans.
  • Both old fly mortality and relative child mortality are shown to be genetically determined, with old fly mortality linked to genetic heterogeneity.

Conclusions:

  • Mortality patterns in old flies and relative child mortality are genetically determined, indicating a strong genetic basis for lifespan and biological aging.
  • The concept of invariants offers a powerful framework for understanding mortality across species and age groups.
  • Genetic factors play a significant role in determining longevity and the potential for exceptionally long lifespans.

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