II don’t think enough is known about CNVs yet to give a definitive answer but my guess is Yes. Obviously a lot of gene deletions can result in shorter lifespans. We know that the average lifespan of mice can be increased 50% if I remember correctly by providing extra copies of the HERT telomerase gene and the P53 anti-tumor gene. I suspect this could also occur rarely as a CNV.

I might do a blog entries on CNVs soon.
Vince

In humans, CNVs (copy number variants) encompass more DNA than SNPs. Do you suppose that CNVs might have some role in aging/longetivity:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copy_number_variant

Thanks.