Are Youthful Looks In Our DNA?

Scientists claim to have a better understanding as to why some people retain their youthful looks while others age badly.

16:36 05 May 2016

Scientists from Erasmus University Medical Centre in the Netherlands and unilever have discovered a genetic code that seems to affect how old people look to others. The mutations were in the genetic instructions for protecting the body from UV radiation.

 

In the study, images of 2,693 people were shown to the participants to see how old they think the individuals in the pictures are. Their answers were then compared with their true age. The study also involved analysing the DNA of the 2,693 individuals in the pictures to find any differences or mutations that were more common in those who looked younger than they really are. All the evidence pointed to the MC1R gene, which is critical for making melanin.

 

Prof Manfred Kayser, from Erasmus, said: "The exciting part is we actually found the gene, and that we did find the first means we will be able to find more.

 

"It is exciting because this is a well known phenomenon that so far cannot be explained - why do some people look so much younger?"