News Story: "Genetics play a larger part in lifespan than previously thought"
January 29, 2026
A study led by researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science found that genetics’ role in how long people live may be as high as 55%, which is much higher than previously studied. The researchers arrived at this very different figure by separating deaths from external factors and those caused by internal biological factors. The result offers new directions for research into aging and the biological mechanisms that regulate lifespan.
“The message of our paper is not that lifestyle, exercise and diet are not important,” study author Ben Shenhar, said. “That is not our message, not at all. Even if your genetics gives you a particular potential or range for what your natural lifespan would be, depending on lifestyle, that might shift slightly one way or another. So it’s still important.
To read the full article, click here: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/longevity-genetics-play-large-role-lifespan-study-rcna256502
*Image used is from the original news article published by NBC News by Abraham Gonzalez Fernandez / Getty.