Reliability theory of aging and longevity: Difference between revisions

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The '''reliability theory of aging''' is an attempt to apply the principles of [[reliability theory]] to [[human biology]]. The theory was published in Russian by [[Leonid A. Gavrilov]] and Natalia S. Gavrilova as ''Biologiia prodolzhitelʹnosti zhizni'' in 1986, and in English translation as ''The Biology of Life Span: A Quantitative Approach'' in 1991.{{r|gav|rayl}}

One of the models suggested in the book is based on an analogy with the reliability theory. The underlying [[hypothesis]] is based on the premise that humans are born in a highly defective state. According to the [[mathematical model|model]],{{clarify|date=September 2016}} thisThis is then made worse by environmental and mutational damage; [[Redundancy (engineering)|redundancy]] allows the organism to survive for a while.{{r|ieee}}

The book criticized a number of hypotheses known at the time, discussed drawbacks of the hypotheses put forth by the authors themselves, and concluded that regardless the suggested [[mathematical model]]s, the underlying biological mechanisms remain unknown.<ref>"Conclusion" section of the book</ref>

==See also==