Ageing disposable soma theory

I am satisfied that the disposable soma theory applies to us. This is good news, in the sense that an obsolete optimum, which has served its purpose, can in principle be modified to a more congenial optimum with a new purpose — to abolish the misery of old age. The disposable soma... 

For many years, the theory of antagonistic pleiotropy dominated the field of ageing, and it is still one of the most prominent theories. There is certainly some truth in it. The theory is not at odds with the disposable soma theory — both are trade-offs, in which an individual s genetic resources are concentrated on reproductive prowess in youth at the expense of health later in life. However, the similarities between the two theories have often led one to be seen as a special case of the other. This is far from the truth. 

The Disposable soma theory of ageing (Kirkwood 1987) included cellular maintenance systems. The amount of oxidatively damaged proteins, which results from the balance between the oxidation and elimination rate of these proteins, can be explained either by increased damage production, decreased elimination, or the combination of both phenomena (see Friguet 2002). 

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