> wondering whether there aren't some people who by odd chance (or very good genes) live far longer than they should.
Exactly; death and aging are programmed. We know of hereditary conditions that cause premature aging and death; why can't the opposite exist, causing a human to age more like a tortoise.
Observation and logic unfortunately say, that while most people live between 70 and 90 years, the 110-120 years of the documented super-old might already be how far good genes can push the human life.
Exactly; death and aging are programmed. We know of hereditary conditions that cause premature aging and death; why can't the opposite exist, causing a human to age more like a tortoise.