What is biological aging? Scientists have been baffled by this question for centuries and still disagree regarding even the general nature of aging. Is aging an unalterable fact of life or is aging itself a treatable condition? This book describes the increasing evidence and theoretical support for the exciting idea that aging can be generally delayed and lifespan extension is possible. Today there are two main aging theories that provide explanations for observations of aging in humans and other mammals. Non-programmed theories, popular with gerontologists since 1952, propose that each species only evolved the ability to achieve a particular unalterable and internally controlled lifespan. Programmed aging theories propose that aging is the result of a suicide mechanism that purposely limits lifespan in order to obtain an evolutionary advantage. Both theories require modifications to evolution theory as generally understood. Programmed theories provide a better match to some observations but non-programmed theories involve a less extreme conflict with evolution theory. This book provides an historical review of biological aging theories including underlying evolution and genetics issues and describes exciting recent discoveries and theoretical concepts showing that aging is indeed programmed. Contents Introduction - Evolutionary Mechanics Theory - Historic Theories of Aging - Modern Non-Programmed Theories - Digital Genetics and Evolution Theory - Discoveries Affecting Aging Theory - Modern Programmed Aging Theories - Evolvability Theories - Attitudes about Aging - Anti-Aging Research - Conclusions and Recent Developments - Online Resources "Theodore Goldsmith is one of the leading contemporary proponents of the idea that aging is 'programmed'..." Aubrey de Grey, editor in Chief of Rejuvenation Research What is aging? Scientists have been baffled by this question for centuries and disagree regarding even the general nature of aging. Is aging the result of fundamental limitations that apply to all living things, or are organisms designed by nature and genetically programmed to age because a limited life span conveys some advantage? This issue has potentially enormous implications for medicine. If aging is the result of fundamental and unalterable forces of nature then anti-aging medicine is impossible and anti-aging research is futile and foolish. If aging is imposed by an evolved life span regulation system, then research will likely reveal means for altering the operation of the aging mechanism and thereby improve the treatment of many age-related diseases and conditions. This book provides an historical review of biological aging theories including underlying evolution and genetics issues and describes exciting recent discoveries and theories showing that aging is indeed programmed. Theodore C. Goldsmith graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and lives with his wife in Annapolis Maryland. His books about theories of biological aging include Aging by Design (2011), An Introduction to Biological Aging Theory (2011), and The Evolution of Aging 3rd Ed. (2014).