how can the age of a person be determined using information from deoxyribonucleic acid

Question: how can the age of a person be determined using information from deoxyribonucleic acid
- Keywords:
  deoxyribonucleic_acid
Asked by dawn20fen to Arnold, Edna, Elkana, Gliday, Jacinta, Michael, Mike, Mmboyi, Sally on 17 Jul 2025.
- Michael Kimwele answered on 17 Jul 2025:
  
  While it’s not possible to determine someone’s exact birthdate from DNA alone, researchers can estimate biological age using specific DNA changes called epigenetic markers, specifically DNA methylation patterns. These changes accumulate over time and can be used to create an “epigenetic clock” that correlates with chronological age.

Question: how can the age of a person be determined using information from deoxyribonucleic acid