Aging Theories and Potential Therapies

From School Library Journal
Grade 7 Up - Panno devotes a volume each to five "hot" areas of modern life sciences inquiry plus one on basic cell biology. He aims his discussions at student researchers, clearly explaining the developments and implications of specific studies performed over the past 30 or so years, but keeps technical jargon to a minimum, livening up his discourse with references to J. R. R. Tolkien and the use of stem cells to repair damaged nerve tissue as "high-tech cannibalism" (as considered by some opponents). The author also makes brave efforts to articulate ethical and legal, though not faith-based, issues that have arisen over many lines of research, frequently referring to the ethical imperatives laid out in the groundbreaking Belmont Report. A well-chosen, if thin, assortment of black-and-white photos and graphics illustrates the books. Though the volumes have the same general look, they are designed to be independent studies; there are no cross-references, and several share topic areas and even specific illustrations or passages of text. Still, considered as a cutting-edge supplement, this set merits a place in most collections, next to John Owen Edward Clark's The New Encyclopedia of Science (Oxford, 2003). - John Peters, New York Public Library
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Product Description
There are almost as many theories about the aging process as there are researchers working in the field. This stems from the fact that scientists do not know why animals grow old and examine every aspect of an animal's physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology in attempting to answer this important question. The current trend among biologists studying the way animals grow old is to keep the theories in mind, but to focus their attention on dominant age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's or cardiovascular disease. This new volume in The New Biology set tackles the fascinating subject of aging, from natural processes to technological developments, and descibes past and present research into extending the human life span. Different theories about aging and the studies of the fruit fly and housefly, which have provided a basis of knowledge in this field, are presented in a clear and concise manner. The use of hormone therapy is explored as a possible way to reverse the effects of aging, the use of antioxidants is discussed as another area being pursued by scientists seeking to find the key to extending the human life span, and possible side effects and monetary expenses are also examined. Concluding with a collection of biographies of influential researchers in this field, a bibliography, a glossary, and an index, Aging presents the full story about the hopes, efforts, progress, and realities of this timeless topic.

About the Author
Joseph P. Panno, Ph.D., specializes in molecular biology and physiology. He has taught a variety of undergraduate biology courses and published in numerous peer-reviewed publications including Cytometry, Molecular Brain Research.

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