An Austrian biologist theorized that the erosion of telomeres, highly repetitive DNA at the end of chromosomes, might function as a kind of internal clock that determines when a species will become extinct. Once a species’ telomeres have sufficiently degenerated, the theory holds, individuals will begin to suffer an increase in cancers and immune disorders. Human telomeres, it was noted, are somewhat short.
An Austrian biologist theorized that the erosion of telomeres, highly repetitive DNA at the end of chromosomes, might function as a kind of internal clock that determines when a species will become extinct. Once a species’ telomeres have sufficiently degenerated, the theory holds, individuals will begin to suffer an increase in cancers and immune disorders. Human telomeres, it was noted, are somewhat short.