Experimental and empirical approaches in the study of aging

Two approaches to the study of aging are contrasted. The results and implic ations of the gene-by-gene, hypothetico-deductive molecular genetic approac h are compared with studies engendered by unique empirical findings. The fo rmer hypothesis-testing approach examines the changing phenotype that resul ts from alterations of the genome and measures the relevance of a gene by t he effectiveness with which it alters life-span. Investigations of empirica l demographic and physiological puzzles that have come to light in aging st udies, examine these phenomena for the broader understanding they bring rat her than the knowledge of specific causative genetic elements. While the fo rmer hypothesis testing method requires caution in interpretation of result s and conclusions, it has been highly informative. Studies of empirical phe nomena have necessarily progressed more slowly, but have also yielded subst antial gains. Both approaches have advanced the understanding of the aging process from distinctly different but complementary viewpoints.