The tithonus error in modern gerontology

Tithonus asked Aurora for eternal life, when he meant eternal youth. Modern gerontological research makes the same mistake in its preoccupation with d eath, as if it were a programmed event in an organism's life history. Geron tology ought instead to investigate senescence, the decreasing effectivenes s of mechanisms by which adult organisms avoid death or loss of fitness. Su ch studies should measure rates of decline in a diversity of adaptations an d compare them within and between individuals and relate these rates and th eir correlations to genetic and environmental factors. The death of a studi ed organism must necessarily end its usefulness in providing valuable data. It is of little scientific significance.