Biotechnology now exists that can predict how fast someone is aging and subsequently give an indication of how long that person is likely to live.
A simple blood test can now show the length of one's 'telomeres' which appear on the chromosomes and are thought to offer an accurate measure of a person's biological age and importantly how much that differes from their chronological age.
Marketing of this test is now underway and within a year it will be available on the UK market for around NZ$800.
There appears to be a demand for the test in that it will give people the oppoprtunity to adjust their lifestyle if they are aging more than expected, however the cost is beyond many.
Others may also be interested in the results - critics have concerns that insurance companies may insist on the results being disclosed which may impact negatively on the individual.
What do you think? Would you take the test?
Read More
www.independent.co.uk/news/science/the-163400-test-that-tells-you-how-long-youll-live-2284639.html www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p00j3p77/Discovery_Discovery_Telomeres/