Abstract
Over the decades, biogerontology has matured as a scientific discipline. Currently, a number of theoretical frameworks are available to researchers when interpreting empirical data. Despite the great progress that has been made, a comprehensive understanding of biological processes that shape ageing is lacking. Senescence is a dynamic, plastic and highly complex metaphenomenon whose aetiology remains unclear. The paucity of information notwithstanding, some researchers promote ‘anti-ageing’ drugs and formulae every now and again. The rationale behind this concept is that ageing can be reduced to a mixture of biochemical reactions. Furthermore, the distinction between ageing and disease has been questioned on the grounds that ageing is the root of age-related diseases. It has been claimed that disease-oriented approaches can help delay ageing and prevent age-related diseases. Although these methods seem incongruous from an evolutionary standpoint, they become popular amongst the public. Moreover, if ageing is classified as a disease, this situation is likely to be exacerbated. Therefore, it is important to recognise the limitations of these reductionist and disease-oriented approaches. Only holistic and evidence-based strategies might be useful in slowing down ageing and preventing age-related diseases in the future.
Highlights
Human ageing is a topic that has great practical importance because a large and increasing number of countries across the world must tackle the problem of ‘greying populations’ (Christensen et al 2009; Le Bourg 2012; Olshansky and Carnes 2019)
Ageing research has burgeoned over the years and biogerontology has matured as a scientific discipline (Holliday 2006; Hayflick 2007a; Rattan 2012, 2014a, 2018), researchers do not agree on fundamental issues such as: (1) definitions of basic terms, e.g. ageing and longevity, (2) the nine or ten ‘hallmarks’ or seven ‘pillars’, (3) the distinction between ageing and disease, (4) the programmed/non-programmed nature of ageing within the life history and (5) effective strategies for delaying ageing and preventing age-related pathologies
It has been proposed that ageing can be classified as a disease (Bulterijs et al 2015)
Summary
Human ageing is a topic that has great practical importance because a large and increasing number of countries across the world must tackle the problem of ‘greying populations’ (Christensen et al 2009; Le Bourg 2012; Olshansky and Carnes 2019). Ageing research has burgeoned over the years and biogerontology has matured as a scientific discipline (Holliday 2006; Hayflick 2007a; Rattan 2012, 2014a, 2018), researchers do not agree on fundamental issues such as: (1) definitions of basic terms, e.g. ageing and longevity, (2) the nine or ten ‘hallmarks’ or seven ‘pillars’, (3) the distinction between ageing and disease, (4) the programmed/non-programmed nature of ageing within the life history and (5) effective strategies for delaying ageing and preventing age-related pathologies.
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