Could aging evolve as a pathogen control strategy?

Aging is often attributed to the detrimental side effects of beneficial traits but not a programmed adaptive process. Alternatively, the pathogen control hypothesis posits that defense against infectious diseases may provide a strong selection force for restriction of lifespan. Aging might have evolved to remove older individuals who carry chronic diseases that may transmit to their younger kin. Thus, selection for shorter lifespans may benefit kin's fitness. The pathogen control hypothesis addresses arguments typically raised against adaptive aging concepts: it explains the benefit of shorter lifespan and the absence of mu-tant variants that do not age. We discuss the consistency and explanatory power of this hypothesis and compare it with classic hypotheses of aging.

Automated summary

Aging is often seen as the detrimental side effects of beneficial traits, not a programmed adaptive process. The pathogen control hypothesis proposes that defense against infectious diseases may result in a shorter lifespan. Aging may have evolved to remove older individuals with chronic diseases that could be transmitted to younger kin. The hypothesis explains the benefit of shorter lifespan and the absence of non-aging mutant variants.