Rare Gene Mutation Plays Role in Longevity

This article summarizes research by Dr. Nir Barzilai, director of the Institute for Aging Research at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. He has found that a mutation that causes a decrease the activity of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) results in short stature but longer life. Here is an interesting quote from the article:

“We think this is important, because that’s what now happens in nature. The pony lives longer than the horse, the small dog lives longer than a large dog. Apparently, it’s true for humans also.”

I guess if you’re a tall person, you might have reason to be worried…