May December News: Can potent older men extend the lifespan of our species?

Indeed – certain age gap relationships may keep the grim reaper away a little longer!

(posted by Ron)

In an August 2007 article in LiveScience.com Jeanna Bryner hypothesizes that “May/December Couples Boost Human Lifespan.” That’s quite an interesting idea, particularly considering that it makes some evolutionary sense.

Ms. Brynner cites several sources to support her hypothesis, all of which seem to point in the same direction.  Although females tend to lose their reproductive capacity in their fifties men do not.  On the average men are fertile until at least their seventies and some even into their nineties.  She states that, at the time of her article, “90-year-old Nanu Ram Jogi from India reportedly became the world’s oldest father when he announced his 21st child…”  Read the entire article here.

Ron’s Commentary

Robert Heinlein is one of my favorite authors.  In 1941 he introduced science fiction fans to the Howard Family.  A wealthy man named Howard encouraged certain individuals to marry because they had living grandparents who were quite old.  His foundation then paid significant amounts for each child they delivered.  Needless to say there are some large families in the series.

Our species has been interested in extending our lifespan since we ran away from the first dinosaur.  Ira Howard may have a good idea but, until now I haven’t seen any non-science fiction studies.  Now, age gap couples are putting their oar into the genetic pool (so to speak.)

In the article noted above, we see that older men/younger women pairings often result in children.  Some quite famous examples are noted.  It hypothesizes that potent older men tend to pass on the gene for longevity to their children.  That’s only slightly more scientific than Ira Howard’s ideas but who’s to say they both don’t have something good there.

So, go for it age gap couples!  Let’s see how much you can boost our lifespan!  Wouldn’t it be ironic we if ended up being fountains of youth?!

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• May December in the News» The Great Debate – AMC
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