Secrets of the centenaries is an article reviewing the studies revolving around findings underlying biology behind humans who live up to and beyond 100 years. It aims to establish the genetic structure and attempt to induce it to other humans to increase life expectancy. Centenaries is used to refer to people who are gracefully in their 90s seemingly having fewer incidences or successfully avoided diseases like heart attacks and blood pressure. Such ailments are perceived to affect the aged and even reduce life expectancy. The article illustrates HH M I investigator Luis M Kunkel endeavors to define his belief in a formula for living to the age of 100. The article describes studies pursued to determine the genetic characteristics prevalent in centenarians that are likely to be the causes of the long lifespans. The genes can then be replicated to the general human race to increase life expectancy and consequently enable people to live longer healthier lives. Kunkel believes that only a few genes need to be altered to increase the lifespan. However, critics of the ideology such as Leonard Hayflick urge that there is only a number of times that a human cell can divide even without alteration by unfavorable conditions such as cancer (Pines, 2004). Therefore, the article generally emphasizes n the idea that genes contribute to lifespan and that introducing the right genes can increase lifespans for people.
The article presents an interesting concept of explaining human life expectancy. It is a basic perception that most people would prefer to live longer and healthier to achieve their life goals, be around long enough to meet their generation, explore the world and be strong enough to do that all through. Life expectancy for a human being has changed over and over through history. Initially, people seemed to live longer and with people instances of people living for more than 500 decades as evident in biblical stories. However, through history, the life expectancy decreased as a result of various factors such as health issues and insecurity in the world. The era of the 1900s was characterized by a life expectancy of only 50 years, and hence infants' mortality rates were high. Probably the reason why parents of that era bore any children to ensure some kids survived to old age. However, with the advancements in technology, innovations in the health sector, advocacy for better living the 20 th century saw a significant increase in life expectancy. Regardless there is still a significant difference in life expectancy for women and men accorded to factors such ability to manage and deal with stress. Women are believed to have higher life expectancy because of their ability to handle stress and embrace better living as opposed to men. (Friedman, 2015).
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
The objectives and views represented in the article represent an extension of advancements in innovation in the area of science towards increasing life cycles and ensuring healthy old age. The ideas in the article make sense considering the cases of the centenarians; “They are independent, assertive, funny and manage stress well” (Pines, 2004 p.192). On the other hand, a good percentage remained in good health until their mid-90s. That is the envisioning of every human being to live for so long and yet rain healthy. The primary cause for reluctance to attain old age for most people would probably be the sicknesses associated with old age, the inabilities and neediness that results in becoming a burden to family and relatives. Therefore, eliminating such factors it is an obvious belief that people would want to live longer. “It is not a matter of the older you get, the sicker you become but rather, the older you become, the healthier you have been” (Pines, 2004 p.192).
Furthermore, the concept continues to make more sense and become more interesting. Perls, one of the researchers on the genetic structures for centenarians provides that the intention is not to have a group of humans live up to 120 years or more but to provide a means for the whole human race to live a long healthy life (Pines, 2004). The emphasis is not only on the length of life but also on the quality of life which makes the idea all the more interesting. The chances of the determination of lifespan and healthy by a few sets of genes are technical in that identification of such is a long-term expensive and complicated undertaking. To identify single genes among millions of DNAs variations is a complex process requiring critical analysis and to some extent feels dependent on luck. Besides, it is not for sure that only a set of genes influence the lifespans and there are other factors besides health that lead to death at primal ages significantly such as accidents and natural deaths. However, the provisions of the article if affected and with conclusive finding are worth believing in.
In conclusion, the idea of longer better life is so fascinating to avoid regardless of the minuteness of the probability. With resource, it is only sensible that such ideologies are explored to conclusive results. Health is a primary cause of short life spans, and a way to counter that would impact the length and quality of lives people live handsomely. Living to 100 years and healthy would be fascinating. I have seen my grandmother live to 105 years and still counting. Without disregarding the idea that genes are part of the contributor to long life, other factors are considerable contributors to long life. Looking at grandma, healthy eating, working, staying happy and faith are probable factors for long life. All in all, the course provided by the article is one worth exploring.
References
Friedman, L (2015). How as life expectancy changed through history. Business Insider . Retrieved on 4 May 2018 http://www.businessinsider.com/how-has-life-expectancy-changed-throughout-history-2015-6?IR=T.
Pines, M. (2004). Secrets of the centenarians. HHMI Bulletin , article 4.
