US EditionPublished • loading... • Updated
Study Finds Genetics Account for 55% of Human Lifespan
Researchers found genetics explain 50–55% of lifespan variation when excluding deaths from external causes, doubling previous estimates and highlighting genetics' larger role in longevity.
- Thursday, an international team of researchers published in Science that genetics explain about 50% of variation in human lifespan using human twin-study datasets.
- Researchers reanalyzed twin datasets by separating extrinsic mortality from intrinsic mortality, reducing non-genetic 'noise' that obscured genetic influence in prior studies using centuries-old data.
- Using historical twin and sibling records from Denmark, Sweden and the U.S., the mathematical model developed by the study authors estimated heritability could reach 55% after rerunning analyses for age-linked infection vulnerability.
- Study authors argue a substantial genetic contribution supports sequencing centenarians to identify longevity variants and refine polygenic risk scores, aiding drug discovery while IVF startups promise embryo-based lifespan inference.
- Researchers caution that roughly 50% of lifespan reflects environmental factors, while few longevity-associated genes like FOXO3, APOE and SIRT6 are identified, with Eric Verdin urging careful interpretation.
Insights by Ground AI
Podcasts & Opinions
65 Articles
65 Articles
Our genes play a much greater role in how long we live than previously thought.
·Stockholm, Sweden
Read Full Article
More than 50 percent of people live for a long time. So far, studies have "overestimated external causes of death," the research team argues.
·Vienna, Austria
Read Full Article
A new study published in Science shows that the inheritability of human life, excluding deaths caused by external factors such as accidents or infections, is just over 50 percent
·Italy
Read Full Article
The lifespan of a human could be more dependent on the genes than previously assumed, as shown by the results of a recent study.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources65
Leaning Left13Leaning Right7Center14Last UpdatedBias Distribution41% Center
Bias Distribution
- 41% of the sources are Center
41% Center
L 38%
C 41%
R 21%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
