. The biology of senescence. Old age; Aging; Longevity. INTRODUCTORY AND HISTORICAL Man throughout history, and every individual since his child- hood, has been aware that he himself, and those animals which he has kept in domestication, will undergo an adverse change with the passage of time. Their fertility, strength and activity decreases, and their liability to die from causes which, earlier in life, they could have resisted, increases. This process of change is senescence, and senescence enters human experience through the fact that man exhibits it him- self. This close involvement with h
. The biology of senescence. Old age; Aging; Longevity. INTRODUCTORY AND HISTORICAL Man throughout history, and every individual since his child- hood, has been aware that he himself, and those animals which he has kept in domestication, will undergo an adverse change with the passage of time. Their fertility, strength and activity decreases, and their liability to die from causes which, earlier in life, they could have resisted, increases. This process of change is senescence, and senescence enters human experience through the fact that man exhibits it him- self. This close involvement with human fears and aspirations may account for the very extensive metaphysical literature of ageing. It certainly accounts for the profound concern with which humanity has tended to regard the subject. To a great extent human history and psychology must always have been determined and moulded by the awareness that the life-span of any individual is determinate, and that the expectation of life tends to decrease with increasing age. The Oriental could say 'O King, live for ever!' in the knowledge that every personal tyranny has its term. Every child since the emergence of language has probably asked 'Why did that man die?' and has been told 'He died because he was old.' Interesting psychological and historical speculation could be made on the part which this awareness has played in human affairs. From the biologist's standpoint, its main importance has been the bias which it has injected into the study of senescence. The child who asks the question, and receives the answer, is familiar with 'old' clothes and 'old' toys. He has always known that he, his pets, his cattle and his neighbours will become increasingly prone to breakdown and ultimate death the older they get. He has observed from the nursery that inanimate and 1. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these il
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, booksub, booksubjectlongevity, booksubjectoldage
