Between Zeus and the Salmon

Demographers and public health specialists have been surprised by the rapid increases in life expectancy, especially at the oldest ages, that have occurred since the early 1960s. Some scientists are calling into question the idea of a fixed upper limit for the human life span. There is new evidence about the genetic bases for both humans and other species. There are also new theories and models of the role of mutations accumulating over the life span and the possible evolutionary advantages of survival after the reproductive years.This volume deals with such diverse topics as the role of the elderly in other species and among human societies past and present, the contribution of evolutionary theory to our understanding of human longevity and intergenerational transfers, mathematical models for survival, and the potential for collecting genetic material in household surveys. It will be particularly valuable for promoting communication between the social and life sciences.Table of ContentsFront Matter1 Between Zeus and the Salmon: Introduction2 Trajectories of Mortality at Advanced Ages3 In Search of Limits4 The Evolution of Senescence5 Evolutionary Biology and Age-Related Mortality6 Toward an Evolutionary Demography7 Identification and Mapping of Genes Determining Longevity8 Population Biology of the Elderly9 Postreproductive Survival10 The Evolution of the Human Life Course11 Intergenerational Relations and the Elderly12 The Potential of Population Surveys for Genetic Studies13 Comparative Perspectives on Plasticity in Human Aging and Life SpansGlossaryIndex