title: Understanding the causes of aging and cancer.
abstract: Cancer, a disease typical of old age, is in large part of degenerative origin. Several factors leading to the development of cancer and other degenerative diseases are discussed. The results of cancer tests in animals have been misinterpreted; they are mainly carried out by using synthetic chemicals, whereas most carcinogenic substances are natural chemicals. Animals have defense systems which prevent them from the carcinogenic effects of both natural and synthetic chemicals.
authors.affiliation: Division of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of California at Berkeley 94720-3202. USA.
authors.forename: B N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Ames
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*