Scientists discovered that our genes have a much greater influence on how old we get than was previously assumed. For a long time, it was thought that environmental factors and chance mainly determined how long people live. New research shows that hereditary factors can account for about half of the difference in lifespan. This is an important shift in the understanding of ageing.
The research was carried out by the Weizmann Institute, analysing large datasets of twins. Because twins share some of their genes, such studies can help to determine the effect of heredity. Even twins who have been brought up apart from each other show similar patterns in lifespan, which underlines the importance of genes. In order to exclude random accidents and external deaths, researchers made use of advanced computational models.
This discovery means that genetics plays a much more important role than was previously assumed. That enables us to better understand which biological processes contribute to a long life. It can also stimulate the development of new methods for healthy ageing, for example by specifically looking at genetic risk factors. At the same time, the environment naturally remains important for our health too.
The realisation that genes determine roughly half of our lifespan offers new starting points for research into longevity. In this way, people can gain more insight into their personal life expectancy and how they can still influence it through lifestyle. This research contributes to a more complete picture of healthy ageing.
Source: Original article
