新奇事件簿 端粒决定寿命长短

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Would you like to know when you'll die? It's a scary question for many, but one which could be answered using a new blood test. Spanish scientists have invented such a test that they say will estimate how much longer you will live. The $700 test measures the length of telomeres in our DNA. Telomeres control how often our cells divide to make new ones and are thus responsible for aging. They limit the length of our lifespan. The company behind the project, Life Length, says the test will give people an idea of the speed at which they are ageing and a prediction of when the end might come. Critics have been quick to attack the test. They say it is unethical, unreliable, and could lead to insurance firms demanding people take the test before issuing policies.

想知道自己的死期吗？许多人认为这个话题毛骨悚然，但只要通过全新血液检测，这个问题迎刃而解。该检测由西班牙科学家发明，它能够预知寿命。该检测费用为700美金，通过检测DNA中端粒长度预知寿命。端粒控制细胞再生周期，它也会让人类变老。端粒掌控生命长短。负责此项研究的“生命长度”公司表示，这类血液检测能让人们掌握自己的变老速度，并预知死期。这类检测随即遭到了评论家的诟病。他们认为该检测缺乏职业道德，不可信，保险公司也很有可能在出台政策之前要求客户进行检测。

Researchers say the test could lead to breakthroughs in age-related illnesses such as Alzheimer's and heart disease. Professor Jerry Shay, a consultant for Life Length, admitted people are right to be wary of the new test. He said: "People might say, 'If I know I'm going to die in 10 years, I'll spend all my money now', or 'If I'm going to live for 40 years, I'll be more conservative in my lifestyle'. He added: "The worrying thing is that if this information ever got to a point where it is believable, insurance companies would start requiring it in terms of insuring people.” Maria Blasco, inventor of the test, believes it is important, saying: "It will be useful for you to know your biological age. Maybe you would change your lifestyle habits if you find you have short telomeres."

研究人员表示，这类检测或将治愈如老年痴呆，心脏病等老年性病。“生命长度”顾问杰里·谢伊承认到，大众对此类检测持谨慎态度是正确之举。他认为：“人们或许会说，如果我的生命只有10年，那么我现在就要尽力挥霍，还会说如果我会活40年，那我就要节制一点。”他还补充道：“如果这样的检测信息可信，保险公司就会要求客户进行检测，这是让我们最为担心的。”测试发明人玛丽亚·布拉斯科认为此项检测非常重要，她认为：“人们应该知晓自己的寿命。如果你发现自己的端粒很短，或许你会因此而改变生活方式。”