1.3: Why study Biological Aging?

We have discussed several broad reasons for studying aging in general and biological aging in particular. We will now examine more specific reasons for studying biological aging. One of the most important is being able to distinguish true age changes from changes that occur by chance or are caused by abuse, misuse, disuse, or disease. Individuals with this ability will be changes in the body that represent the beginning of an abnormal condition. Then effective steps can be taken to prevent or combat undesirable changes that are not inevitable results of aging. Effort will not be wasted worrying about or attempting to alter conditions resulting from aging. Having knowledge about biological aging also makes it easier to select appropriate preventive or corrective measures. Furthermore, if one knows the course of age changes, the effects and effectiveness of new treatments can be better evaluated. There will be less chance of confusing the effects of a treatment with the effects of aging. Knowing the timing and nature of age changes also provides some predictability. Better estimates of a person’s future biological or medical status can be made, and it is easier to predict the life expectancy of an individual or a group of people.

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