[gomaaa]

AS js1138 pointed out so well, we only need to live long enough to reproduce. REPRODUCTION is all that counts in evolution. There is no other measure of "superiority". Sure it would be dandy if we could live 500 years, but it doesn't take us that long to propogate our genes. Mayflys live only a day, but they reproduce like mad, hence they are an evolution success story.

[Dataman]

REPRODUCTION is all that counts in evolution.

Then why don't we reproduce like dogs? Like flies? Why doesn't the female have more eggs? If we didn't get old, we could reproduce more. IOW, the higher animals should be better at reproduction and the lower should be less efficient. If all that is necessary is to pass on the genes, why do we live beyond 20?

Here's another puzzle for youse:

The Egyptians held that the ideal age was 120. That was over 3500 years ago.