The hoverfly and the wasp: A critique of the hallmarks of aging as a paradigm

• "The hallmarks of aging" is the most highly cited article in aging research. While provides a useful overview, fails as an explanatory paradigm. Its widespread adoption obscures urgent need to develop genuine paradigms during time transition field. Biogerontology needs look beyond understand process aging. With goal representing common denominators different organisms López-Otín et al. 2013 described nine Since then, this representation has become major reference point for biogerontology The template account originated from landmark papers by Hanahan and Weinberg (2000, 2011) defining first six later ten cancer. Here we assess strengths weaknesses account. As checklist diverse foci current research, it provided shared overview It also seems applied biogerontology, identify interventions (e.g. drugs) that impact multiple symptomatic features However, while cancer provide paradigmatic causes with profound power, do not. A worry non-paradigm have obscured define paradigm, one can basis understanding mechanistic pathologies. We argue must move