THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOMATIC MUTATIONS IN MICE WITH AGE

Abstract

Chromosome aberrations in the liver cells of two strains of mice, one long-lived and the other short-lived were measured as a function of age. The development of aberrations was found to be inversely proportional to the life expectancy. This result, together with other recent evidence, makes it seem very likely that somatic mutations play a dominant role in the aging process. (auth)