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The notion that we are programmed to die seems odd. If evolution is so efficient, then why don't genes select for longevity? ... [Because] once the organism has survived past the age of reproduction, it is useless as far as evolution is concerned. The genes don't care if you live one day after you deposit your sperm or egg in the bank of future generations. Dr. Dean Hamer in Living with Our Genes In the spring and summer mayflies are abundant around streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes. Their lives are short, sometimes not even lasting through a single day. Some species hatch in the evening, and their life cycle is complete and over before dawn. Having no time to eat, many species don't even have stomachs. To mate, thousands of males dance in huge swarms, encouraging females to enter the mass frenzy. With no time to waste, as soon as a female enters, she mates - and within an hour, she lay her eggs. Eggs are laid on the water's surface or attached to aquatic plants. When the eggs hatch, a new generation of mayflies swarms above the water, many of which are immediately eaten by fish as they fall back onto the water's surface.
We die from planned obsolescence. Our genetic blueprint comes with a fine print that reads: warranty valid only for a limited time.Dr. Dean Hamer in Living with Our Genes |
