AMA Journal of Ethics · Dec 1, 2025

What Are the Most Ethically Salient Implications of Epigenetic Age Testing?

By Hauskeller M, Shore L

This commentary on a case considers how clinicians should help patients interpret results of tests that might be personally meaningful but not clinically actionable. Tests of biological age, for example, can easily lead to patient misunderstandings that can increase risks of psychological harm and make age-related discrimination seem justifiable. This commentary suggests that companies offering epigenetic testing should be more transparent about these tests' reliability and limitations.

doi.org/10.1001/amajethics.2025.828 Open access PubMed 41411396 Industry & policy