DNA sequencing advancements have led to the large-scale identification of somatic mutations in ageing tissues, showing an increase in mutations as tissues age.

The burden of age-related somatic mutations is modest and random, challenging their attribution as the primary cause of ageing.

Evidence from patients with high somatic mutation loads without premature ageing suggests that these mutations may not drive ageing phenotypes.

Research does not conclusively support the theory that somatic mutations accumulating with age are the main factor behind ageing phenotypes.

Comparative studies indicate that longer-lived species exhibit lower rates of somatic mutations, possibly due to evolutionary pressures unrelated to ageing itself.

While somatic mutations are linked to cancer, their impact on other ageing-related changes remains to be fully understood.