The Paradox of Fertility: How Reproduction Impacts Lifespan

A study led by the University of Michigan supports the antagonistic pleiotropy theory of aging, which suggests that genetic mutations that promote reproduction tend to shorten human lifespan. The study analyzed genetic and health information from over 276,000 individuals and found a strong negative correlation between reproduction and lifespan. However, the authors note that genetic factors play a minor role compared to environmental factors in determining lifespan and reproductive behavior. The study provides genome-wide evidence for the evolutionary explanation of senescence proposed by biologist George Williams in 1957.