Scientists have developed a simple DNA test that can predict whether a person is likely to live longer or die sooner than average.
The test analyses the effect of genetic variations that influence lifespan, and was developed by researchers from the University of Edinburgh.
While you might think that such a test would come with a hefty price tag, the researchers have revealed that this isn’t the case.
In the near future, they believe that saliva tests could become available for as little as £150.
With the test, people who score in the top 10% of the population might expect to live up to five years longer than those who score in the lowest 10%, they said.
Experts at the University of Edinburgh’s Usher Institute looked at genetic data from more than 500,000 people, as well as records of their parents’ lifespan.
They said they pinpointed 12 areas of the human genome as having a significant impact on lifespan, including five sites that have not been reported before.
Experts said the DNA sites with the greatest impact on overall lifespan were those that have previously been linked to fatal illnesses, including heart disease and smoking-related conditions.