Why We Die
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Why We Die

January 17, 2025

Why We Die is a highly informative and thought-provoking book that provides a comprehensive overview of the science of aging and death. It is a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of life and the human condition. While the book primarily focuses on the biological aspects of aging, it also raises profound questions about the meaning of life, the nature of death and the future of humanity. — Dr. C.D. Sreenivasa Murthy

By Dr. C.D. Sreenivasa Murthy

People are living longer, and it is common to see very old persons in their eighties, nineties and even centenarians in Europe, North America, Japan and now China. Even India is catching up with these nations.

With slowing birth rates, senior citizens are becoming a heavy burden on the healthcare systems and finances of nations. In the past two decades, governments and the scientific community have shown much interest in research into human aging, healthy lifespan and longevity. The book “Why We Die: The New Science of Aging and the Quest for Immortality” written by Nobel Laureate Venki Ramakrishnan was released in Mysuru recently. The author was present on the occasion and spoke about his work, the biology of aging and the societal hardships associated with a long-lived population.

Venkatraman (“Venki”) Ramakrishnan is a renowned Indian-born Structural Biologist. He was born in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu and holds dual citizenship in the United States and Great Britain. He studied at the University of Baroda, Ohio University and the University of California, San Diego.

Since 1999, he has worked as a group leader at the Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, UK and is a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2009) was awarded to Ramakrishnan jointly with Thomas A. Steitz and Ada Yonath for their studies on the structure and function of the ribosome. In his earlier book “Gene Machine,” he tells the thrilling story of how these three scientists decoded the ribosome. He was President of the Royal Society from 2015-2020. Venki Ramakrishnan is a highly respected scientist who has contributed significantly to Molecular Biology. The Indian government honoured him with the Padma Vibhushan.

Venki Ramakrishnan’s new book, “Why We Die” is a fascinating exploration of the science of aging and death, written with clarity and wit. It explores the intricate workings of the human body, explaining how and why we age and ultimately die. Ramakrishnan masterfully explains the complex processes within cells, comparing them to the elaborate well-co-ordinated functions of a large city like London.  He highlights the synchronised processes required to maintain cellular function and how these processes gradually decline over time.

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Ramakrishnan weaves historical narratives of scientific discoveries throughout the book, making it engaging and informative. He highlights the contributions of scientists who have unravelled the mysteries of aging. Ramakrishnan argues that aging is not a “failure” of the body, but rather a consequence of natural selection which is part of the evolutionary process in nature and thus gives an Evolutionary perspective to the aging process. Since natural selection primarily favours traits that enhance reproductive success in younger individuals, there’s less evolutionary pressure to maintain optimal bodily function in later life. This leads to a gradual decline in cellular processes, organ function, overall health and ultimately death. Many animals get an impending sense of death. As human brains evolved, cognition, self-awareness, thinking processes and the ability to communicate have developed. Hence only humans have an awareness  of mortality.

 Ramakrishnan explores various scientific theories of aging, including Telomere shortening (the gradual erosion of protective caps at the ends of chromosomes) and mitochondrial dysfunction (decline in the function of cellular power-houses), leading to energy deficits.

The book discusses the ongoing quest to extend the human lifespan, exploring potential interventions such as Calorie restriction (reducing food intake) to slow down the aging processes.

Senolytics are Drugs that selectively eliminate senescent cells, which contribute to the disabilities of old age.  Accumulation of cellular damage: The buildup of harmful molecules and cellular debris over time is a major cause of aging. Gene editing technologies attempt to manipulate genes to address underlying causes of aging.

One interesting part of “Why We Die” is Ramakrishnan’s examination of scientific concepts in science fiction literature or movies. For instance, he addresses the idea of cryogenically freezing individuals immediately after death, with the hope of reviving them once a cure for their ailment is discovered. 

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Ramakrishnan argues that the reality is far from what is portrayed in fiction. Even if the body is frozen promptly after death, significant biochemical changes occur in each cell due to the lack of oxygen and nutrients, making the frozen state vastly different from that of a living human.

The book explores the ethical implications of extending human lifespan, raising questions about resource allocation, population growth and the quality of life in old age. Longer lifespans also enhance societal inequalities as the wealthier people can afford measures to increase their longevity.

“Why We Die” is a highly informative and thought-provoking book that provides a comprehensive overview of the science of aging and death. It is a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of life and the human condition. While the book primarily focuses on the biological aspects of aging, it also raises profound questions about the meaning of life, the nature of death and the future of humanity.

Exercise and sleep, affect a large number of factors in aging. These remedies currently work better than any anti-aging medicine on the market, cost nothing and have no side-effects. While we wait for the vast gerontology enterprise to solve the problem of death, we can enjoy life in all its beauty. When our time comes, we can go into the sunset with good grace, knowing that we were fortunate to have taken part in that  eternal banquet.

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