DNA Discovery Brings Bad News For Tall People

Ever dreamed of being taller? Stop right there. According to the latest research from the University of Glasgow and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, being tall could spell a shorter life span. Scientists maintain that because ageing and lifespan related DNA changes as bodies grow, shorter humans could enjoy longer lives than their taller counterparts.

While the findings are based on the DNA of wild house sparrows, the team of scientists maintains that the same concept could apply to humans. Professor Pat Monaghan, Regius Chair of Zoology at the University of Glasgow fronted the study, with the team’s findings published in Proceedings of the Royal Society Biological Sciences.

Smaller body = longer lifespan

Essentially, the study concluded that while bigger animals generally have longer lifespans than smaller animals, larger individuals do tend to die earlier than smaller individuals of the same species. Monaghan and his team assert that the same concept applies to humans, with ‘tallness’ linked to higher incidences of diseases such as cancer. Until now, scientists have been unable to explain the link between height and health afflictions.  

It’s all about the telomeres

So what’s the science behind the eccentric yet scientifically sound theory? The researchers explain that it’s all down to a region of repetitive DNA called telomeres. These form at the end of chromosomes in order to protect against deterioration. While studying sparrows on the remote Norwegian island of Leka, researchers found that sparrows with bigger skeletons had shorter telomeres than their smaller relatives. When it comes to fighting disease and withstanding the biological ageing process, longer telomeres are far more beneficial.

Professor Monaghan explains the concept of telomere erosion, saying “Growing a bigger body means that cells have to divide more. As a result, telomeres become eroded faster and cells and tissues function less well as a result.” He adds, “The reason why the bigger individuals have shorter telomeres might also be related to increased DNA damage due to growing faster. Being big can have advantages, of course, but this study shows that it can also have costs.”

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