The Genetic Trade-Off: More Sex and Kids, Shorter Life Span
A study using data from the UK Biobank has found that genetic variants associated with increased reproductive behaviors, such as early sexual activity and younger age at first childbirth, are also linked to shorter life spans. These genetic factors, which occur in non-coding regions of genes, demonstrate antagonistic pleiotropy, where genes that enhance reproductive fitness in youth have negative effects on health in old age. The findings suggest that there is a trade-off between reproductive success and longevity, shedding light on the evolutionary balance between reproduction and aging.