Once again about the "grandmother's hypothesis"
The secret of people's longevity is determined by the contribution of older generations — grandparents
Svetlana Maslova, Hi-tech+
American scientists claim that the long life expectancy of a person is partly due to the contribution of older relatives — primarily grandparents. Their theory explains why people can live long enough after the end of reproductive age.
The link between fertility and longevity is noticeable in most animals, including chimpanzees. Usually the survival rate drops along with the ability to reproduce, but in humans everything is different. For example, women can live decades after menopause. That is, people have a real post-productive stage.
According to scientists from the University of California in Santa Barbara, a long post-productive human life is due not only to advances in medicine. An important role is played by the contribution of elderly people — grandparents, according to the article The Importance of Elders.
It is known from studies of non-industrial societies that the sharing of food determined the power of natural selection. It takes up to two decades from birth before a person produces more food than they consume, so the contribution of elderly relatives or community representatives was crucial. This should also include training and socialization, which also often falls to their lot.
"If chimpanzee-like ancestors shared their food more often, it would hardly increase the power of natural selection later in life. But we know that chimpanzee grandmothers rarely do anything for their grandchildren. Thus, human longevity is actually connected with the cooperation of older generations," said the author of the work Michael Gurven.
Scientists hope that the findings will become an important reminder for modern people living in a world of widespread age discrimination. "Much of the enormous value of our seniors remains untapped and it's time to think seriously about how to apply the wisdom and experience of elders," he added.
The article by Raziel Davison, Michael Gurven The importance of elders: Extending Hamilton's force of selection to include intergenerational transfers is published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences – VM.
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