Aging Is Evolution’s Blind Spot: Why We Don’t Stay Young Past 40

Humans age largely because natural selection acts strongest on traits that affect early-life reproduction; after the reproductive window, pressures weaken, allowing late-life deterioration to accumulate. The article frames aging as a byproduct of evolutionary trade-offs rather than an adaptation, explaining why longevity isn’t strongly selected for and how researchers are probing the molecular roots of aging and potential ways to extend healthy lifespan.