Extreme longevity is associated with a select group of genetic markers, according to a new study of centenarians, people living at least 100 years. Using these markers, researchers can predict a person's ability to become a centenarian with 77 percent accuracy.
"Exceptional longevity
is not this vacuous entity that no one can figure out," said lead author
Thomas
Perls, the director of the New England Centenarian Study
at Boston Medical Center. "I think we've made quite some inroads here
in terms of demonstrating a pretty important genetic component to this
wonderful trait."
To read the full, original article click on this link: Longevity's secret code revealed - The Scientist - Magazine of the Life Sciences
Author: Jennifer Welsh
