Life expectancy is influenced by a variety of factors. For some of us, genetic abnormalities may increase our risk for disease and unhealthy conditions, and for others, the lifestyles we lead may increase our likelihood of leading happy, healthier lives in old age. Reflect on the multitude of factors influencing life expectancy. How do factors such as heredity, gender, race and ethnicity, lifestyle, culture, and environment positively or negatively affect our life expectancy? What are some steps that we can take to extend our life cycles? Additionally, describe how the theories of aging relate to aging life expectancy - is aging random, programmed, or both?