THE BIOLOGICAL MECHANISM OF AGING - IS IT STILL AN ENIGMA

It is proposed that in broad outline the biological basis of aging is understood. The current concepts of evolutionary biology of aging prov ide the framework upon which this understanding is based. Although som e species or some individuals within a species may have processes that are unique to and a major component of their aging, there is a genera l proximate aging mechanism common to all organisms which plays the ma jor role in most. this mechanism is the imbalance between the actions of longterm, low intensity stressors and the counteractions of protect ive and repair processes, the result of which is the progressive organ ismic accumulation of damage characteristic of aging or senescence. Re search aimed at validating or invalidating this broad outline of the b iological basis of aging should be of the highest priority.