Pursuit of Longevity Fuels Extreme Measures,But 150 Years Remain Distant
LONDON – Driven by advances in medical technology and a desire to extend lifespan,some individuals are pursuing radical interventions,including experimental treatments and,hypothetically,organ replacement,in a quest for longevity. However, experts caution that current developments focus on treating disease, not achieving dramatically extended lifespans like 150 years, and that even aggressive approaches face significant biological and medical hurdles. The pursuit raises questions about the ethics and practicality of extending life “at any cost,” notably as it relates to the ambitions of powerful figures.
Recent attention has focused on technology businessman Brian Johnson, who reportedly spends millions annually attempting to reduce his biological age. While he has avoided organ transplants, Johnson underwent a plasma transfer from his 17-year-old son, a practice he later abandoned after finding it ineffective and attracting scrutiny from the US Food and Drug Governance. This experimentation highlights the lengths some are willing to go, but also the regulatory and scientific limitations of such endeavors.
Dr. Julian Mots of King’s Collage London emphasizes that alternatives like plasma replacement remain experimental. “Whether such strategies will affect the age of man – especially the maximum age – is still not certain, even though it is indeed a field that receives great scientific attention,” he stated. Professor Neil Mapot, an expert in immune pathology at the Roslin Institute at Edinburgh University, believes the maximum human lifespan may realistically reach 125 years, citing Jeanne Calment, who lived to 122 between 1875 and 1997, as the current record holder.
Mapot argues that even with organ replacement, the body’s ability to withstand physical stress diminishes with age.”We respond weaker in the infection, become more fragile, vulnerable to injuries and less recovery and repair,” he explained. Organ transplantation itself places immense strain on the body, compounded by the lifelong immunosuppressive drugs required to prevent rejection, making it particularly challenging for the very elderly.
The focus, Mapot suggests, should be on healthy longevity. “Living for a long time, but with suffering from aging diseases and continuous hesitation on hospitals to perform other transplant operations, it does not seem an attractive way to spend the years of retirement.”
While the article does not directly address the motivations of specific political leaders like Xi Jinping or Vladimir putin, the pursuit of extended lifespan has historically been a preoccupation of those in power. Reports suggest both leaders prioritize health and longevity,fueling speculation about their access to advanced medical interventions. Though, verifiable data regarding their specific treatments remains limited, and the feasibility of achieving radical life extension, even with significant resources, remains scientifically uncertain. The ethical implications of such pursuits,particularly regarding access and equity,are also subject to ongoing debate.
