Genetic mutations that promote reproduction tend to shorten lifespan. This was recently revealed by researchers from the University of Michigan. Before reaching this conclusion, they wanted to test biologist George Williams’ theory, known as “antagonistic pleiotropy”. According to this expert, natural selection in favor of genetic mutations, which guarantee earlier or more abundant reproduction but alter life after reproduction, is at the root of aging. To test this hypothesis, the team used genetic, reproductive, and death data from 276,406 participants from the UK Biobank database as part of a study.
lower chance of longevity due to genetic mutations
According to the results, published in the journal Science Advances, a strong negative genetic correlation was observed between reproductive characteristics and longevity. The authors found that people who are genetically predisposed to having children earlier are less likely to live to the age of 76. However, the scientists cautioned that reproduction and longevity are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. In the study, genes played a relatively minor role compared to contraception and abortion.
Natural selection does not care about longevity after reproduction has ended
These results confirm George Williams’ theory. Natural selection doesn’t care much about the length of life after reproduction ends, because our physical condition largely depends on the end of reproduction,” said Jianzhi Zhang, co-author of the study, in a press release. He added that certain genetic mutations that improve reproduction can lead to diseases later in life. “For example, one of these variants, called rs12203592, has been associated with certain types of cancer,” the researcher concluded.
References
Zhang, J., & Long, E. (2023). [Title of the Article]. Science Advances. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adh4990
University of Michigan News. (2023, December 8). Genetic mutations that promote reproduction tend to shorten human lifespan, study shows. University of Michigan. Retrieved from https://news.umich.edu/genetic-mutations-that-promote-reproduction-tend-to-shorten-human-lifespan-study-shows/
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