New research reveals longevity gains slowing, life expectancy of 100 unlikely

(lafollette.wisc.edu)

215 points XzetaU8 | 2 comments | 30 Aug 25 16:15 UTC | HN request time: 0.681s | source

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bradley13 ◴[31 Aug 25 14:10 UTC] No.45083264[source]▶

Genetics required. Natural evolution has zero interest in old people, so there has been no evolutionary pressure to extend lifespan. Possibly even the opposite.

We could apply that pressure, either through selective breeding over generations, or through direct genetic modification. Maybe we aren't quite there yet, but it won't be long.

Experiments on insects with selective breeding have easily tripled lifespans. How well that would transfer to mammals is hard to say, but a substantial increase is certainly possible.

replies(2): >>45083387 #>>45083846 #

1. hyperpape ◴[31 Aug 25 15:20 UTC] No.45083846[source]▶

>>45083264 #

Mick Jagger had his most recent son at the age of 73. Today, that's an anomaly, but historically, older men fathering children was not at all uncommon (73 would probably be an outlier, but successful men were fathering children well past the age when women can no longer bear children). That would exert significant evolutionary pressure for men to have longer lifespans.

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2. JumpinJack_Cash ◴[31 Aug 25 17:47 UTC] No.45085204[source]▶

>>45083846 (TP) #

Watch out for news such as Jagger's , Bernie Ecclestone etc.

We never know if it's their or not.

Famous people are just people who are famous and while the prenup rates are high, people who actually do the DNA test for paternity purposes are low as they are in the general population

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