The review of the modern conceptions concerning a role of genetic factors in processes of ageing and longevity is presented. Despite of the various hypotheses explaining mechanisms of ageing, many aspects of this natural stage of life have not been studied yet. Ageing is a process which development is under the control of many endogenous (hereditary) and exogenous (environment) factors. Many questions of interaction of genes and their products-proteins among themselves and with environmental factors remain opened. Ethnic and geographical features of association of those or others polymorphic alleles with longevity and ageing are still not completely clear. Prolongation of the period of active longevity is possible via two methods: by means of modulation of activity of the genes that influence directly on "speed of ageing" with the aid of introduction of geroprotectors protecting an organism from action of endotoxins, and by means of predictive diagnostics and preventive maintenance of frequent multifactorial diseases with the aid of testing polymorphisms in genes of "predisposition". Nowadays testing of the genetic markers which are responsible for hereditary predisposition to the most frequent multifactorial diseases and are the main reasons of ageing and "enemies" of active longevity is quite possible. The basic genes of "predisposition", genes of "ageing" and their polymorphisms are briefly reviewed and some results of testing of these genes are considered.