The heritability of human longevity: A population-based study of 2872 Danish twin pairs born 1870–1900
Abstract
The aim of this study was to explore, in a large and non-censored twin cohort, the nature (i.e., additive versus non-additive) and magnitude (i.e., heritability) of genetic influences on inter-individual differences in human longevity. The sample comprised all identified and traced non-emigrant like-sex twin pairs born in Denmark during the period 1870-1900 with a zygosity diagnosis and both members of the pairs surviving the age of 15 years. A total of 2872 pairs were included. Age at death was obtained from the Danish Central Person Register, the Danish Cause-of-Death Register and various other registers. The sample was almost non-censored on the date of the last follow-up (May 1, 1994), all but 0.6% had died, leaving a total of 2872 pairs for analysis. Proportions of variance attributable to genetic and environmental factors were assessed from variance-covariance matrices using the structural equation model approach. The most parsimonious explanation of the data was provided by a model that included genetic dominance (non-additive genetic effects caused by interaction within gene loci) and non-shared environmental factors (environmental factors that are individual-specific and not shared in a family). The heritability of longevity was estimated to be 0.26 for males and 0.23 for females. The small sex-difference was caused by a greater impact of non-shared environmental factors in the females. Heritability was found to be constant over the three 10-year birth cohorts included. Thus, longevity seems to be only moderately heritable. The nature of genetic influences on longevity is probably non-additive and environmental influences non-shared. There is no evidence for an impact of shared (family) environment.
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Genetic factors account for only 15-40% of lifespan variability.
“While genetic factors account for only 15–40% of lifespan variability [28,29,30,31,32], environmental exposures—including access to green spaces—play a dominant role in shaping aging trajectories.”
Environmental exposures-including access to green spaces-play a dominant role in shaping aging trajectories.
“While genetic factors account for only 15–40% of lifespan variability [28,29,30,31,32], environmental exposures—including access to green spaces—play a dominant role in shaping aging trajectories.”
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- Authors
- Herskind, A. M., McGue, M., Holm, N. V., Sørensen, T. I. A., Harvald, B., & Vaupel, J. W.
- Affiliations
- University of Southern Denmark (DK)
- University of Minnesota (US)
- University of Copenhagen (DK)
- Corresponding author
- Herskind, Anne Maria
- Venue
- Human Genetics
- Published
- 1996-03
- Volume
- 97
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 319-323
- ISSN
- 0018-7348 (ISSN-L)
- 0340-6717
- 1432-1203
- OpenAlex
- W2161289428
- Cited by
- 879
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2026: 27 · 2025: 31 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 20 · 2022: 30 · 2021: 38 · 2020: 29 · 2019: 26 · 2018: 31 · 2017: 31 · 2016: 40 · 2015: 35 · 2014: 38 · 2013: 43 · 2012: 56
- FWCI
- 5.61
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Human Genetics (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute on Aging (P01AG008761, P01-AG08761)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetic Associations and Epidemiology
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Aging › Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Keywords
- human longevity, heritability, twin pairs, genetic dominance, non-additive genetic effects, nonshared environment, shared environment, sex differences, birth cohort, age at death
- MeSH terms
- Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Denmark, Female, Humans, Longevity, Male, Models, Genetic, Twins, Cohort Studies
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