US EditionThey Thought No One Could Hear Them
Putin and Xi explored biotechnology advances aiming to extend human lifespan to 150 years amid growing investments by tech leaders in anti-aging research.
- During a Beijing military parade, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping conversed, with Putin interpreted as saying advances may lead to "immortality" and Xi suggesting 150-year lifespans this century.
- High-Profile investment has driven the 21st-century longevity movement, with scores of scientists and billion-dollar funding from Google co-founder Larry Page, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan.
- Sam Altman's $US180 million investment in Retro Biosciences aims to extend life by 10 years, while Bryan Johnson's Project Blueprint involves diet, exercise, and plasma injections; WHO data show rising global life expectancy resumes in 2023.
- Bioethics scholars caution that Nancy Berlinger and Lucia Viegas warn longer life may favor wealthy individuals, straining healthcare systems, tax base, and pension funding.
- Across countries, disparities matter: wealthy nations like Australia and the United States grapple with aging populations, while First Nations people in both have lower life expectancy; Australia's average age of death is 83 and South Africa's is 66.
13 Articles
13 Articles
They thought no one could hear them
They thought no one could hear them. But the whole world was listening. At a lavish military parade in Beijing, a hot mic picked up Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping whispering about living to 150 years old. “Biotechnology is continuously developing,” Putin was heard telling Xi, through a translator. “Human organs can be continuously transplanted. The longer you live, the younger you become, and [you can] even ach…
Putin and Xi's chat about immortality has parallels to biotech startups
Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping were caught on an audio recording talking about organ transplants extending life — but there are plenty of biotech startups also looking at increasing human life span, particularly in the US, where many are supported by powerful billionaires.
Can humans live past 150? What experts say about Putin-Xi’s discussion on immortality
Chinese leader Xi Jinping was overheard in a hot-mic exchange with Russian President Vladimir Putin talking about the idea of living past 150 years. Both leaders, aged 72, seem to be thinking about how to fight the effects of ageing. But can science make this possible?
Putin has mentioned biotechnology innovations as key to achieving longevity in people
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- 67% of the sources lean Left
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