Examination of twin data revealed that genetic predispositions significantly impact how long a person lives. Researchers, whose findings appeared in the journal Science, concluded that when fatalities resulting from external factors—such as accidents and diseases—are discounted, the contribution of heredity might account for approximately half the variation.
The study’s lead author, Daniela Bacula, remarked that these outcomes hold importance for the science of senescence, emphasizing the necessity of identifying genetic versions linked to extended lifespans and scrutinizing polygenic risk scores. By employing mortality statistics alongside twin datasets, the scientists were able to disentangle deaths caused by external events from the innate biological mechanisms of aging, allowing for a more precise estimation of heredity’s role in determining lifespan.
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