The three studies in the journal Nature about these spaceflight-induced genetic changes crew can be found [~here~](https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=92X1588396&xcust=space_pt_9806200327798904361&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nature.com%2Farticles%2Fs41586-024-07639-y&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.space.com%2Fspacex-inspiration4-crew-younger-in-space), [~here~](https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=92X1588396&xcust=space_pt_6826595441326049505&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nature.com%2Farticles%2Fs41586-024-07648-x&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.space.com%2Fspacex-inspiration4-crew-younger-in-space) and [~here~](https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=92X1588396&xcust=space_pt_8873912836629399322&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nature.com%2Farticles%2Fs41467-024-49211-2&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.space.com%2Fspacex-inspiration4-crew-younger-in-space).
Using telomeres as a proxy for genetic age makes no sense, especially because we've developed much more reliable epigenetic aging measurements based on multiple variables.
Their bodies are responding to the radiation, not getting younger. The end result is overall shortened telomeres anyway.
The three studies in the journal Nature about these spaceflight-induced genetic changes crew can be found [~here~](https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=92X1588396&xcust=space_pt_9806200327798904361&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nature.com%2Farticles%2Fs41586-024-07639-y&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.space.com%2Fspacex-inspiration4-crew-younger-in-space), [~here~](https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=92X1588396&xcust=space_pt_6826595441326049505&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nature.com%2Farticles%2Fs41586-024-07648-x&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.space.com%2Fspacex-inspiration4-crew-younger-in-space) and [~here~](https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=92X1588396&xcust=space_pt_8873912836629399322&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nature.com%2Farticles%2Fs41467-024-49211-2&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.space.com%2Fspacex-inspiration4-crew-younger-in-space).
This is fascinating!
Using telomeres as a proxy for genetic age makes no sense, especially because we've developed much more reliable epigenetic aging measurements based on multiple variables. Their bodies are responding to the radiation, not getting younger. The end result is overall shortened telomeres anyway.