Does the life span depend upon genetics more than on other factors?

Lifespan is a statistical measure that analyzes human ageing with time and other factors.

It is dependent upon health, socio-economical, environmental and genetic makeup constituents associated with it.

Every human body follows different genomes and attributes, therefore the way it balances our internal function in regards to the above-mentioned variables plays a vital role in developing longevity. 

Hence, one factor like genetics cannot be considered solely while analysing the lifespan of an individual. In at least two ways, genetic factors can influence the length of one's life: Certain genetic differences may predispose a person to disease, which reduces longevity; other gene variants may provide disease resistance, which increases longevity.

According to researchers, genetic variables account for around 25% of the variation in human longevity. The remaining 75% is largely due to environmental factors, mainly diet and lifestyle factors, that can influence genetic effects on longevity (Herskind et al.,1996). 

As the above percentage shows low reliability of the hypothesis that genetics play a major role in the lifespan of a person, the essay will focus on the other factors that play a role in affecting an individual's lifespan.

Firstly, health plays a major role in keeping the mind and body strength which greatly impacts our lifespan. 

Research stated that following a Mediterranean diet ( A plant-based diet, with the majority of the protein coming from animal sources, meals made up of nutritious grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, and dairy in moderation) lengthened life and delayed the onset of chronic diseases by allowing people to control their calorie intake, therefore improving longevity. 

Furthermore, as red meat and alcohol are carcinogenic, they should be consumed with caution, as too much of either can harm one's health. In addition, physical activity has been shown to help the elderly by extending their lives and reducing age-related ailments. (Bolin,2017)

Secondly, the environment has an impact on health and lifespan; a higher socioeconomic position is linked to improved health and longevity. This improves access to healthcare, improved nutrition, and healthy living situations such as green areas and clean air. 

In crowded cities, living in close proximity to pollution, as well as ambient air pollution, can lead to chronic health problems. While some of these variables are beyond our control, there are several steps we can take to live a better life and boost our chances of living longer. 

The simplest approach to keep some influence over longevity is to make lifestyle changes; for example, smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and eating a poor diet all have a detrimental impact on lifespan, but their impact varies. (Allison, 2022)

 

Thirdly, another researcher stated that socioeconomic status significantly plays a role in a person’s life expectancy because it is a summary measure of lifetime exposures to hazardous circumstances and behaviours that extends beyond the risk variables for noncommunicable illnesses.

Further, the result stated that people with low socioeconomic levels were roughly 1.5 times more likely to die before reaching the age of 85. High blood pressure, obesity, and excessive alcohol use were all linked to a shorter life expectancy: 1.6 years for high blood pressure, 0.7 years for obesity, and 0.5 years for excessive alcohol consumption. 

Hence, this shows the stress involved while meeting the financial standards for surviving in a society that may lead to a low life expectancy of a person. (joszt, 2017)

Conclusively, it can be stated that genetics play a potential role in developing the life span of a person but it largely involves other factors too. Nowadays, due to increasing usage of social media, our environment is largely changing hence social factors play a larger role to keep our minds and body healthy. 

References: 

https://www.ajmc.com/view/low-socioeconomic-status-linked-to-reduced-life-expectancy 

https://longevity.technology/lifestyle/what-factors-determine-longevity-and-how-can-they-be-harnessed/