Telomeres are the highlighted yellow areas on chromosomes. Click to read more about the research (US Department of Energy, via University of Utah Genetic Science Learning Center)

We read the other day that a British company is planning to begin producing a blood test that can measure how quickly you’re aging – and maybe even predict how long you’ll live. What a thought: The Big Question now answerable.

The test, and similar ones already available in the U.S., is based on breakthrough research on telomeres – the ends of your chromosomes, which shorten every time your cells divide. The shorter your telomeres, the older your biological age.

The costly ($650) and controversial test would be able to tell if your body is older or younger than your chronological age, and that could help predict your potential lifespan.

Having a test like this raises all kinds of intriguing possibilities – and potential controversies. It potentially could help doctors treat patients. But critics worry results could be misused by insurance companies.

Would you want to know?

RELATED LINKS

May 16, 2011, The Independent, “The £400 test that tells how long you’ll live.”

May 17, 2011, Washington Post, The Checkup blog, “Telomere test could predict how long you’ll live”

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