While genes play an important role in determining human lifespan, longevity also depends on lifestyle and environmental factors, said Dr Prateek Sharma, professor of medicine at the University of Kansas. "Genes are important. Genes load the gun, but environment and lifestyle are the ones that pull the trigger as well," Sharma said during his address at a session on "Longevity in the Indian Context: Diet, Supplements and Myths".
"We need to figure out how India becomes not just a longer-living society, but also one of the healthiest societies," he said.
