--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The general rule is that anything that is…" description: "\"The general rule is that anything that is passed on in reproduction does not undergo senescence.\" — George C. Williams" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ba/george-c-williams-40870_reproduction_the-general-rule-is-that-anything-that-i_2568942.jpg" --- # The general rule is that anything that is passed on in… ![“The general rule is that anything that is passed on in reproduction does not undergo senescence.” quote by George C. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ba/george-c-williams-40870_reproduction_the-general-rule-is-that-anything-that-i_2568942.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ba/george-c-williams-40870_reproduction_the-general-rule-is-that-anything-that-i_2568942.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ba/george-c-williams-40870_reproduction_the-general-rule-is-that-anything-that-i_2568942.jpg) > “The general rule is that anything that is passed on in reproduction does not undergo senescence.” [George C. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-c-williams/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Traits inherited through reproduction are not subject to aging, unlike somatic cells. **In simple terms:** Inherited traits don’t age. Key Takeaway Focus on preserving genetic quality. Themes evolution genetics longevity Mood analytical thoughtful Type scientific philosophical When to use this quote - breeding programs - conservation - medical research - age‑related disease study Key Concepts senescence inheritance germline Questions to Reflect On - How do we protect germline integrity? - Can we mimic this in somatic cells? A Different Perspective Genetic factors can still be vulnerable to environmental damage. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [General Rule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/general-rule-601615/) [Passed Reproduction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passed-reproduction-1674756/) [Reproduction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reproduction/) [Reproduction Does](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reproduction-does-1674755/) [Senescence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/senescence-378806/) [Youth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/youth/) ## Related quotes > [“Age doesn't mean Maturity but Senescence”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-asumadu-sarkodie/age-doesn-t-mean-maturity-but-senescence/) [Samuel Asumadu-Sarkodie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-asumadu-sarkodie/) > [As we grow older, the memories of early life brighten, those of maturity and senescence grow dim and confused.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-burgess/as-we-grow-older-the-memories-of-early-life-brighten-those-of/) [Anthony Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-burgess/) > [We've spent the last few millennia aware that senescence is horrible but knowing nevertheless that it's inevitable. We've had to find some mechanism to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aubrey-de-grey/we-ve-spent-the-last-few-millennia-aware-that-senescence-is-horrible/) [Aubrey de Grey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aubrey-de-grey/) > [Middle age ends and senescence begins, the day your descendant's outnumber your friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/middle-age-ends-and-senescence-begins-the-day-your-descendant-s/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [Middle age ends and senescence begins, The day your descendants outnumber your friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/middle-age-ends-and-senescence-begins-the-day-your-descendants/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [The evolutionary theory of senescence can be stated as follows: while bodies are not designed to fail, neither are they designed for extended operation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-jay-olshansky/the-evolutionary-theory-of-senescence-can-be-stated-as-follows-while/) [S. Jay Olshansky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-jay-olshansky/) > [I'd proven to the world that maturity, experience, dedication, and ingenuity can make up for a little senescence. Muscle tightening is not the only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dara-torres/i-d-proven-to-the-world-that-maturity-experience-dedication-and/) [Dara Torres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dara-torres/) > [“Senescence begins And middle-age ends The day your descendants Outnumber your friends”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/senescence-begins-and-middle-age-ends-the-day-your-descendants/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [Senescence is an inevitability. All we can do is try to strike the balance between graceful acceptance and raging against the dying light.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marty-nemko/senescence-is-an-inevitability-all-we-can-do-is-try-to-strike-the/) [Marty Nemko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marty-nemko/) > [As a general rule...people ask for advice only in order not to follow it; or if they do follow it, in order to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandre-dumas/as-a-general-rule-people-ask-for-advice-only-in-order-not-to-follow/) [Alexandre Dumas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandre-dumas/) > [As a general rule, nobody has money who ought to have it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-disraeli/as-a-general-rule-nobody-has-money-who-ought-to-have-it/) [Benjamin Disraeli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-disraeli/) > [The further you get into technology, the further you go into gaming. That's the general rule.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-johnson/the-further-you-get-into-technology-the-further-you-go-into-gaming/) [Nick Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-johnson/) > [“As a general rule the one who is not easily accessible is more valuable.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/as-a-general-rule-the-one-who-is-not-easily-accessible-is-more/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [As a general rule, if you want to get at the truth - hear both sides and believe neither.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/as-a-general-rule-if-you-want-to-get-at-the-truth-hear-both-sides-and/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [A general rule: if enough people predict something, it won't happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-g-ballard/a-general-rule-if-enough-people-predict-something-it-won-t-happen/) [J. G. Ballard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-g-ballard/) ## More by George C. Williams > [Darwin based his theory on generalizations that were strictly empirical. You can go out and see that organisms do vary, that variations are inherited,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-c-williams/darwin-based-his-theory-on-generalizations-that-were-strictly/) [George C. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-c-williams/) > [Job's avoidance of rebellion against God has nothing to do with God being good or wise or anything like that; it's strictly because God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-c-williams/job-s-avoidance-of-rebellion-against-god-has-nothing-to-do-with-god/) [George C. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-c-williams/) > [I think that my main criticism in that book was directed at the general assumption that adaptation characterizes populations and species, rather than simply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-c-williams/i-think-that-my-main-criticism-in-that-book-was-directed-at-the/) [George C. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-c-williams/) > [Ever since then, all descendant vertebrates have had the forward end of the digestive system and the forward end of the respiratory system very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-c-williams/ever-since-then-all-descendant-vertebrates-have-had-the-forward-end/) [George C. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-c-williams/) > [The moment-of-conception fallacy implies that fertilization is a simple process with never a doubt as to whether it has or has not happened.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-c-williams/the-moment-of-conception-fallacy-implies-that-fertilization-is-a/) [George C. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-c-williams/) > [Most evolving lineages, human or otherwise, when threatened with extinction, don't do anything special to avoid it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-c-williams/most-evolving-lineages-human-or-otherwise-when-threatened-with/) [George C. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-c-williams/) > [The only realistic view is that a human life arises gradually, which is not much help in making personal decisions or devising public policy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-c-williams/the-only-realistic-view-is-that-a-human-life-arises-gradually-which/) [George C. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-c-williams/) > [Many traditional religions foster attitudes that ought to have disappeared as biological understanding accumulated over the last century.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-c-williams/many-traditional-religions-foster-attitudes-that-ought-to-have/) [George C. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-c-williams/) > [I am convinced that it is the light and the way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-c-williams/i-am-convinced-that-it-is-the-light-and-the-way/) [George C. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-c-williams/) [Explore all 10 George C. Williams quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-c-williams/) ## More Reproduction quotes > [“The human egg is a Mrs. Bennet, desperate to marry off her daughters...It is a truth universally acknowledged that a sperm must be in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daryl-gregory/the-human-egg-is-a-mrs-bennet-desperate-to-marry-off-her-daughters-it/) [Daryl Gregory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daryl-gregory/) > [“For their never-ending endeavours to obtain or retain wealth, countries desperately need companies, because they—unlike most human beings—have the means of production, and human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/for-their-never-ending-endeavours-to-obtain-or-retain-wealth/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [I wonder if most people ever ask themselves why love is connected with reproduction. And if they do ask themselves about this, I wonder…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mortimer-adler/i-wonder-if-most-people-ever-ask-themselves-why-love-is-connected/) [Mortimer Adler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mortimer-adler/) > [If this labourer were in possession of his own means of production, and was satisfied to live as a labourer, he need not work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/if-this-labourer-were-in-possession-of-his-own-means-of-production/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [My music must be an artistic reproduction of human speech in all its finest shades. That is, the sounds of human speech, as the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/modest-petrovich-mussorgsky/my-music-must-be-an-artistic-reproduction-of-human-speech-in-all-its/) [Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/modest-petrovich-mussorgsky/) > [A camera is wild in just about anybody's hands, therefore one must set limits. But cameras have a life of their own. Cameras care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-smithson/a-camera-is-wild-in-just-about-anybody-s-hands-therefore-one-must-set/) [Robert Smithson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-smithson/) > [We are still in various kinds of patriarchal systems. The very definition of patriarchy is that men control women as the means of reproduction,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-steinem/we-are-still-in-various-kinds-of-patriarchal-systems-the-very/) [Gloria Steinem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-steinem/) > [“Conception is not some genteel, quiet pastime; it’s a fierce and unforgiving team sport.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-natterson-horowitz/conception-is-not-some-genteel-quiet-pastime-it-s-a-fierce-and/) [Barbara Natterson-Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-natterson-horowitz/) > [As a boy, I used to look at reproductions of Rembrandt's portraits... the people in his paintings were so real I felt I knew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cobley/as-a-boy-i-used-to-look-at-reproductions-of-rembrandt-s-portraits-the/) [David Cobley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cobley/) > [It was to Hofmeister, working as a young man, an amateur and enthusiast, in the early morning hours of summer months, before business, at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-harry-church/it-was-to-hofmeister-working-as-a-young-man-an-amateur-and-enthusiast/) [Arthur Harry Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-harry-church/) > [“A dying organism is often observed to be capable of extraordinary endurance and strength. ... When any living organism is attacked, its whole function…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/a-dying-organism-is-often-observed-to-be-capable-of-extraordinary/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [The merit of painting lies in the exactness of reproduction. Painting is a science and all sciences are based on mathematics. No human inquiry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-da-vinci/the-merit-of-painting-lies-in-the-exactness-of-reproduction-painting/) [Leonardo da Vinci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-da-vinci/) > [A story is told that Whistler once painted a tiny picture of a spray of roses. The artistry involved in the picture was magnificent.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sterling-w-sill/a-story-is-told-that-whistler-once-painted-a-tiny-picture-of-a-spray/) [Sterling W Sill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sterling-w-sill/) > [If I were called upon to define briefly the word Art, I should call it the reproduction of what the senses preceive in nature,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-cezanne/if-i-were-called-upon-to-define-briefly-the-word-art-i-should-call-it/) [Paul Cezanne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-cezanne/) > [Fear breeds upon itself because it is a hermaphrodite capable of endless reproduction. Fear is a contagious disease, spreading from its first victim to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-k-gann/fear-breeds-upon-itself-because-it-is-a-hermaphrodite-capable-of/) [Ernest K. Gann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-k-gann/) [Browse all 253 Reproduction quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reproduction/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The general rule is that anything that is passed on in reproduction does not undergo senescence.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "George C. 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