Fruit Fly Longevity Discoveries

[amicus]

On a recent television program, I thought it was Discoveries this Week, there was a short piece on increased fruit fly longevity brought about by postponing procreation longer and longer and inbreeding the offspring that eventually led to a lifespan three times the original.

I thought to research to discover how many generations the experiment covered and if the experiments involved fruit fly females only and how this might relate to human lifespans.

Well, I did not find what I was looking for but thought perhaps someone on this sometimes very erudite forum, might have a lead to follow.

I searched under Fruit fly longevity experiments, recent discoveries

And then added “Discovery Channel” and Discoveries this week….to no avail.



http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/links/doi/10.1046/j.1474-9728.2003.00044.x/full/?cookieSet=1

http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0021-8790(199501)64:1<107:AMLPIM>2.0.CO;2-V

http://www.sciamdigital.com/browse....LEID_CHAR=9FCC85A4-0805-4585-9A09-BDCE170E211

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...+recent+discovery+channel+feature&btnG=Search

It seemed to me a very interesting concept, by postponing procreation, the implication was that 'nature', 'evolution' extended the lifespan.


Anyways...thanks…amicus…

 

[TheEarl]

I guess that makes sense in an evolutionary manner. If procreation is postponed, then only the flies who are able to procreate late will pass their genes on to the next generation. Those are more than likely to be ones which age less quickly, thereby expanding the lifespan.

I doubt it has as much application for humans though. IVF and fertility treatments are doing their level best to cut survival of the fittest out of the Western World.

The Earl

 

[amicus]

The Earl "...I doubt it has as much application for humans though. IVF and fertility treatments are doing their level best to cut survival of the fittest out of the Western World..."

Can you expand and explain....IVF...?

thanks

 

[OhMissScarlett]

From a strictly layman's POV, it seems that every summer I end up with a nearly immortal fruit fly in my kitchen.

Oh, IVF is in vitro fertilization.

 

[amicus]

Grins and chuckles...thank you Miz Scarlett....IVF...okay..but how does that apply? The research implied DNA strands that might be altered to extend human life, I should have mentioned that....but I wasn't sure anyone would be interested in the research...


but thanks again...


amicus...

 

[TheEarl]

Grins and chuckles...thank you Miz Scarlett....IVF...okay..but how does that apply? The research implied DNA strands that might be altered to extend human life, I should have mentioned that....but I wasn't sure anyone would be interested in the research...


but thanks again...


amicus...

Well, there's very little natural selection in terms of 'survival of the fittest' in humans in the Western world. In these fruit flies, they are adapting because only those who can breed late get to do so. In human, people are 'breeding' later, but even if their body's no longer capable, fertility treatments and IVF are making it possible for them to pass on their 'inferior' genes onto the next generation.

The Earl

 

[Selena_Kitt]

fertility treatments and IVF are making it possible for them to pass on their 'inferior' genes onto the next generation.

Interesting point...

<--waiting for those who've had/done IVF to come after Earl with pitchforks

 

[TheEarl]

Interesting point...

<--waiting for those who've had/done IVF to come after Earl with pitchforks

Notice the liberal use of quotes!!

The Earl

 

[Selena_Kitt]

Notice the liberal use of quotes!!

Oh I noticed... I don't know if they will <grin>

 

[amicus]

Hmmm...well we do know...I think that the human life span is somewhat longer now than it was in the past, do we not?

Not just from child mortality, or from fatal diseases, but from better nutrition and health care, at least that is how I understand it.

If that is so, that the human life span has increased, then what is the limit or is there one?

They say all living things die...must they?

If something as dumb as a tree can live 700 years, then why not I?

and thee

amicus...