Epigenetic Clocks: Research Tools for Aging, Not Individual Health Tests
Epigenetic aging clocks, which estimate biological age based on DNA, are being marketed by numerous companies as tools to reveal a person's 'true' biological age. These clocks are reshaping scientific studies on aging by providing insights into how lifestyle and environmental factors influence biological aging. However, they are not designed for individual health assessments. Researchers emphasize that while these clocks are effective for population-level studies, they can produce unreliable results for individuals due to the dynamic nature of epigenetic changes and the lack of a standardized method for clock construction. The clocks are influenced by various factors, including trauma and early life adversity, which can lead to accelerated aging in marginalized communities. 
