People who carry one or two copies of the genetic sequence probably make less of the enzyme, called telomerase, when they are growing in the womb. This means they are born with shorter telomeres, and so are prone to aging more quickly.
“The effect may be built in at a very early stage in life. If you’re born with shorter telomeres, there’s evidence you will be prone to heart disease and other age-related diseases,” Samani said.
Scientists are unlikely to reverse the aging process by boosting telomerase in people’s bodies. Telomerase is almost completely deactivated after birth, but is switched back on in cancer cells so they can divide endlessly without dying.
“Introducing telomerase might protect you from heart disease, but if you turn it on willy nilly you could cause cancer instead,” Samani said.
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