A new large-scale study, the results of which were published in the journal Science, has confirmed that the impact of genetics on human lifespan significantly exceeds previous estimates.
This is reported by Finway
Genetics and Longevity: Rethinking the Role of Heredity
Until now, scientists believed that the genetic factor influences human lifespan by only 10–25%. This approach suggested that lifestyle, environment, and random circumstances play a predominant role. However, the results of the latest analysis have prompted a reevaluation of these beliefs.
Researchers noted that previous estimates were underestimated because many people in the past died young due to external causes such as infections, accidents, and disasters. Such cases are not related to the rate of biological aging, thereby obscuring the true scale of genetic influence.
Twin Studies: How the Weight of Heredity Was Discovered
A group of researchers from the Netherlands analyzed large datasets on the lifespans of pairs of identical and fraternal twins in various countries, specifically excluding cases of deaths due to external factors from the analysis. This allowed for an accurate assessment of how much genetics determines biological aging and longevity.
The results showed that identical twins, on average, live nearly the same number of years, while the difference in lifespan between fraternal twins was significantly greater. This confirms that hereditary factors are crucial for longevity.
“These considerations have important implications. If lifespan is largely determined by genetics, then the possibilities for influencing the rate of aging are limited, particularly through lifestyle changes,” the publication states.
The authors’ concluding remark: approximately 55% of human lifespan is determined by genetic factors. This figure is comparable to the heritability of other complex human traits, such as height or intelligence, which are also shaped by genetics by nearly half.