GENETICS OF AGING

The role of genetics in determining life-span is complex and paradoxic al, Although the heritability of life-span is relatively minor, some g enetic variants significantly modify senescence of mammals and inverte brates, with both positive and negative impacts on age-related disorde rs and life-spans, In certain examples, the gene variants alter metabo lic pathways, which could thereby mediate interactions with nutritiona l and other environmental factors that influence life-span, Given the relatively minor effect and variable penetrance of genetic risk factor s that appear to affect survival and health at advanced ages, life-sty le and other environmental influences may profoundly modify outcomes o f aging.