A Means to an End: The Biological Basis of Aging and Death

A professor emeritus of immunology at UCLA, Clark here examines ""the process of aging from a new and increasingly important perspective, that of cell and molecular biology and the underlying discipline of genetics."" When addressing each of these biological subfields, Clark effortlessly takes readers from the simple to the complex, from a discussion of single-celled organisms to human beings. Along the way, he summarizes the latest scientific information while outlining prospects for future research. Although this is a scholarly book, not a how-to manual, Clark does discuss strategies for extending the average human life by caloric restriction (reductions of 20% to 25% seem to be required) and the use of antioxidants (natural forms found in fruits and vegetables appear to be much more effective than supplements). He also does a nice job of exploring the causes of Alzheimer's disease, various forms of cancer and an array of genetic disorders that afflict the young by making them age prematurely. Finally, in this neatly informative work, Clark uses a sociological and political perspective to probe the tensions likely to arise between length of life and quality of life as medical advances continue to accumulate, and to consider the broad ramifications inherent in an aging population. 21 linecuts. (Apr.)