Parasitic DNA makes us age faster – but we’re not sure why

Genetic parasites known as retrotransposons turn into extra lively as we age, and an animal research suggests this will set off immune responses that shorten our lifespans

By Michael Le Page

Genetic “parasites” often called retrotransposons turn into extra lively in all types of animals as they age, and this elevated exercise shortens lifespans. Now, an animal research has proven this ageing impact isn’t a results of mutations to the genome as beforehand thought, however might be a results of the parasite exercise triggering an immune response.

Understanding precisely how these chunks of parasitic DNA shorten lifespans may result in methods to increase human lives. “But this is very far down the road,” says Blair Schneider on the Albert Einstein …