Final answer:
The researcher can compare the gene sequences of whales and humans to determine if humans have the same gene involved in the aging process.
Step-by-step explanation:
The researcher can use a sequence of the whale gene to determine if humans have the same gene by comparing the gene sequences of whales and humans. The more similar the gene sequences are, the more likely it is that humans have the same gene involved in the aging process. This type of comparison is possible because all life on Earth shares a common ancestor and has a certain level of genetic similarity.