Researchers said saliva tests could become available for as little as £150, for those who wanted to know their genetic life chances.
The study looked at genetic data from more than half a million people alongside records of their parents’ lifespan.
A scoring system was used to analyse the combined effect of genetic variations that influence lifespan.
Some 12 areas of the human genome were pinpointed as having a significant impact on lifespan, including five sites that have not been reported before.
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.
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