{
  "id": 2137361,
  "title": "Longevity Is More Genetic than We Thought. That’s a Good Thing",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/longevity-is-more-genetic-than-we-thought-thats-a-good-thing",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-20T13:01:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Time",
    "slug": "time",
    "url": "https://time.com/collection/longevity-leaders/2026/uri-alon/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Recent studies suggest that longevity may be significantly more genetic than previously estimated. A landmark 2026 research led by Uri Alon, director of the Sagol Institute for Longevity Research at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, found that around 50% of lifespan is determined by genes, a surprisingly high figure compared to earlier figures of 20-30%. This finding implies that genetic factors play a much larger role in human lifespan than previously thought, potentially opening the door to developing targeted drugs and treatments that could slow down the aging process.\n\nAlon, a fourth-generation scientist, is a systems biologist with a background in physics. Growing up in a family of academics, he was immersed in math and science from an early age, believing the world of physics was \"safe and beautiful.\" He is currently exploring the question of what determines the maximum human lifespan, which scientists believe to be around 120 years. Despite the fact that human median lifespan has doubled over the past 200 years, the limit of maximal lifespan has not budged.\n\nAnother interesting angle of Alon's work involves the observation that women with later menopause tend to have specific DNA repair gene variants that may slow aging. The discovery has made these women a topic of interest at aging conferences, as researchers seek to unlock the secrets of longevity.\n\nAlon's enthusiasm for the new finding is evident, as he believes it provides a \"great incentive to study the genetics of aging.\" He emphasizes that while genes play a crucial role in lifespan, lifestyle factors such as exercise, diet, and sleep are still vital for the optimal expression of these genetic factors. He continues to prioritize his health by maintaining an active lifestyle and eating a nutritious diet.",
  "summary": "Research by Uri Alon has found that genes affect longevity significantly more than previously believed. That doesn't mean you're doomed.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}