All speculative but... I've assumed since hearing about telomeres that they were a failsafe against cancer; X cell divisions allowed, then apoptosis. If so, may

All speculative but... I've assumed since hearing about telomeres that they were a failsafe against cancer; X cell divisions allowed, then apoptosis. If so, maybe shorter telomeres are something you can afford if you have the energy (etc) to engage in a lot of DNA maintenance.