The Dark Side of Biological Age Tests: Why I'd Rather Not Know

The Allure of Biological Age Tests

In the season 5 finale of The Kardashians, the family took a commercially available blood test to discover how fast their bodies were ageing. The reality TV stars were said to be ageing more slowly than most mortals of the same age, with Khloé, then 39, finding she had a biological age of 28.

The Science Behind Biological Age Tests

Researchers have been devising molecular clocks to estimate biological age for more than a decade. The new method, devised by Vadim Gladyshev from Harvard Medical School and colleagues, not only provides a measure of biological ageing but also a 'time to death'.

The Data Analysis

Gladyshev's method is based on patterns of gene activity, collected from more than 4,000 people to establish how the patterns relate to age and disease. The researchers believe this method is more sensitive than its predecessors.

The Impact Analysis

The test could shorten the lengthy clinical trials needed to tell if anti-ageing treatments work. It could also be used to inform age-related policy, adjusting for the reality that some people age differently than their peers.

The Prediction

However, the author questions the value of such tests, citing concerns about the psychological impact of knowing one's biological age and the potential for self-fulfilling prophecies. The emerging idea is that beliefs about ageing don't just stay in the mind – they can become biologically embodied, influencing physical health, ageing, and longevity.