Damage segregation in fissioning organisms increases population growth rates

By analysing microscope images of growing colonies, Eric Stewart and his colleagues at the René Descartes University in Paris, France, proved that direct descendants of old-pole cells grew 2 per cent more slowly, were 3 per cent smaller and were more likely to die (PLoS Biology, vol 3, e 45). Nature, does not seem to do immortality, Stewart says. "Never say never, but in natural organisms it seems unlikely."