NY Times artice: Ecaudorean Villagers and a gene mutation related to longevity?

Interesting article in the New York times about a possible gene mutations found in an Ecuadorean Population: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/17/science/17longevity.html?_r=3&hp

This is related to what we've discussed in not only genetics- but what may be seen as a benefit/deficiency at one point in the life span may not be regarded as that later in the life span.