Scientists Pinpoint Genetic Key to Long Life
A groundbreaking study published in the journal Science suggests that genetics may hold the key to understanding the secrets of longevity. Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel have made a breakthrough discovery that sheds new light on the role of genes in determining human lifespan.
According to the study, scientists had previously underestimated the genetic component of human lifespan, assuming that environmental factors such as lifestyle and environment played a more significant role than genetics. However, the research team has now found that approximately 50% of the variation in human lifespan can be attributed to genetics.
The study's lead author, Prof Uri Alon, hopes that this finding will inspire researchers to delve deeper into the genetic mechanisms that govern our internal clocks and aging processes. "These genes will tell us the mechanisms that govern our internal clocks," he said. "And who knows, these can one day be turned into therapy to slow down the rate of aging and in that way slow down all age-related disease at once."
The researchers created a mathematical model that takes into account extrinsic mortality, such as accidents, murders, infectious diseases, and other factors outside the body, and calibrated it using correlations from historical datasets of thousands of pairs of twins in Denmark and Sweden.
Their results reveal that around 50% of the variation in human lifespan is due to genetics – a figure comparable to what has been observed in wild mice. The remaining 50% of variation was attributed to random biological effects, environmental influences, and lifestyle factors.
The study also found that as extrinsic mortality decreased over time, particularly during the 20th century due to improvements in public health, the estimated genetic contribution to lifespan increased. Furthermore, the team discovered that the heritability of lifespan varied depending on the cause of death and age.
While the new study does not account for the influence of genes on the immune system, Prof Richard Faragher of the University of Brighton noted that the research suggests humans do not seem to be an outlier when it comes to the heritability of lifespan. "And that's useful because it means humans look quite like a species that we study aging in, [and] gives you a certain amount of confidence that interventions that will work in mice will carry over into humans."
The discovery has sparked hopes that future research may uncover new genetic protective mechanisms that could be harnessed to promote healthy aging and prevent age-related diseases.
A groundbreaking study published in the journal Science suggests that genetics may hold the key to understanding the secrets of longevity. Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel have made a breakthrough discovery that sheds new light on the role of genes in determining human lifespan.
According to the study, scientists had previously underestimated the genetic component of human lifespan, assuming that environmental factors such as lifestyle and environment played a more significant role than genetics. However, the research team has now found that approximately 50% of the variation in human lifespan can be attributed to genetics.
The study's lead author, Prof Uri Alon, hopes that this finding will inspire researchers to delve deeper into the genetic mechanisms that govern our internal clocks and aging processes. "These genes will tell us the mechanisms that govern our internal clocks," he said. "And who knows, these can one day be turned into therapy to slow down the rate of aging and in that way slow down all age-related disease at once."
The researchers created a mathematical model that takes into account extrinsic mortality, such as accidents, murders, infectious diseases, and other factors outside the body, and calibrated it using correlations from historical datasets of thousands of pairs of twins in Denmark and Sweden.
Their results reveal that around 50% of the variation in human lifespan is due to genetics – a figure comparable to what has been observed in wild mice. The remaining 50% of variation was attributed to random biological effects, environmental influences, and lifestyle factors.
The study also found that as extrinsic mortality decreased over time, particularly during the 20th century due to improvements in public health, the estimated genetic contribution to lifespan increased. Furthermore, the team discovered that the heritability of lifespan varied depending on the cause of death and age.
While the new study does not account for the influence of genes on the immune system, Prof Richard Faragher of the University of Brighton noted that the research suggests humans do not seem to be an outlier when it comes to the heritability of lifespan. "And that's useful because it means humans look quite like a species that we study aging in, [and] gives you a certain amount of confidence that interventions that will work in mice will carry over into humans."
The discovery has sparked hopes that future research may uncover new genetic protective mechanisms that could be harnessed to promote healthy aging and prevent age-related diseases.
So I'm thinking, if 50% of our lifespan is down to genetics, that's still super interesting because it means there's actually a lot we can learn from other animals like mice 
. They've been studied so much in this area already and now maybe we can start making some real progress with humans too? 
It'd be awesome if they could crack the code on what genes are responsible for aging and then find ways to slow it down or even reverse it. That'd be a game changer 
, especially if it could help prevent all those age-related diseases that get worse as we get older 
. I'm excited to see where this research takes us next! 
I'm so fed up with scientists trying to live forever! I mean, can't they just leave us alone to get old like normal humans? 50% of the variation in human lifespan is due to genetics... what does that even mean for me?! 
My grandpa was a centenarian and he didn't have some secret genetic code that made him live forever. He just lived his life, had fun, and then died peacefully. Can we just appreciate that? 
And what's with the math model and the twins and all that jazz... it sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie! 
I just want to enjoy my life without worrying about whether I'll be cured for cancer or Alzheimer's or whatever disease they're gonna invent next. Can't we just age naturally?! 
. This means that if you come from a family with lots of people living into their hundreds, you're more likely to do the same thing.
. Instead, it's just that genetics are way more important than we thought before. And now researchers want to figure out how these genes work so maybe one day we can use them to live longer and healthier lives 
.
i mean we've all heard about epigenetics and how our environment affects us, but it's crazy that genetics actually play such a big role in how long we live. i'm totally down for more research into this - maybe we'll even find ways to slow down aging and prevent age-related diseases 
what if we could just turn those 'therapeutic genes' into reality? 
Not that I'm saying I won't still eat pizza for breakfast, but... 
What a difference genetics and medical advancements have made! 
Wouldn't that be something? 
. It would be incredible if we could slow down or even reverse some of these processes, wouldn't it? Maybe one day we'll have a cure for all those nasty diseases that come with getting older... fingers crossed! 
! I'm talking about curing diseases, reversing aging, the whole nine yards 
. It's kinda cool I guess, but what's really interesting is that they found a correlation between genetic factors and external mortality rates over time. Like, as public health improves, the genetic contribution to lifespan increases 
It's just a bunch of dry stats and science-y jargon 
. Can't we just have a decent discussion without someone spewing out some made-up info from Wikipedia? 
Anyway, I guess it's cool that the study suggests humans might be more like mice when it comes to aging... but can we please just get back to discussing what memes are funny this week? 
. Are they gonna be able to control people's lives that much? And what about the environment and lifestyle factors - are those still just excuses for people not wanting to live long enough? 
. Can't have politicians using this knowledge to manipulate voters or control the population... that's just too much power 
. What do you guys think? Should we be worried about governments getting their hands on this info? 
according to the study, genetics play a HUGE role in determining lifespan - like 50% of it! that means we're not just talking about random luck or environment, but actual genes that are at play. i'm all for finding out what these genes do and how they can be used to slow down aging and related diseases!!! 
It sounds like these researchers might have found a way to tap into that. And who knows, maybe one day we'll be able to give our kids (and ourselves!) a genetic "get out of aging" free card