Jonathan, the Aldabra giant tortoise living on St. Helena, is believed to be about 194 years old. New research reported by Reuters looks at his genome and epigenetic markers, including genes connected to DNA repair, mitochondrial function and cellular maintenance.
The result is intriguing rather than a recipe for living two centuries. One exceptional animal cannot establish how humans should age, and the tortoise’s environment and biology differ dramatically from ours. But the idea of studying an unusually long-lived individual for clues about resilience is compelling.
Do this: read the original science reporting and enjoy the improbable fact that Jonathan was already alive before the American Civil War.