Three Generations of Age Tests

Why It Matters

Epigenetic age tests could provide actionable insights into an individual’s physiological aging and disease risk, enabling targeted interventions and personalized health monitoring. For businesses, these tools promise new diagnostics, preventive medicine markets, and data-driven wellness products.

Summary

Scientists are developing biological ‘age’ tests that measure DNA methylation—small chemical tags added to specific sites on the genome—that change with environment, lifestyle and disease. These epigenetic markers don’t alter the genetic code but influence gene reading and are associated with conditions like cancer and neurodegeneration. Researchers identify methylation footprints correlated with chronological age and health variables (blood pressure, VO2 max, etc.) and use machine learning to build predictive algorithms. The result is an epigenetic clock intended to estimate biological aging and related health risks beyond simple birthday counts.

Original Description

From odometers to check-engine lights. Jordan breaks down the 3 generations of DNA methylation tests.