The dream of living forever is as old as humanity itself. For centuries, people have imagined finding ways to beat old age and death. Lately, this ancient wish has gotten a new voice from two powerful leaders, showing this grand ambition is still very much alive.
Russia’s Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping, both 72 years old, seem to share this profound hope. They made headlines during an event in China marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. A live microphone picked up their private chat, where they discussed how to extend their lives. Their ideas included organ transplants and new biotechnology.
“Today you are a child at 70 years old,” Xi told Putin. The Russian leader, who has been in charge of his country for 25 years, responded with his own vision. He said, “Thanks to biotechnology, human organs can be constantly transplanted. People will be able to live longer and longer and even achieve immortality.” Xi then offered an even bolder prediction: “This century, one can live up to 150 years.”
Can We Just Swap Parts?
The thought of replacing old body parts with new ones sounds amazing. It sparks a lot of wonder and fascination. But experts warn it is not that simple. Pedro Manuel Sánchez, a geriatrist from the Albacete hospital complex, helps put this conversation into perspective. “Imagine a 3D-printed organ works for 70 years,” he explains. “But what about all the other organs that haven’t been replaced? And your bones? They also get old.”
He means that swapping one part of your body won’t stop the rest of you from wearing out. Operations and transplants can certainly add years to a person’s life. However, they do not promise that those extra years will be healthy or full of joy and purpose.
Our Genes Hold the Real Secret
Many scientists agree that the path to a longer life lies hidden in our genes. Josep Corella, a science communicator, points out that recent breakthroughs have shown promise but have limits. “Results have been achieved in animals,” he notes, “like worms, flies, vertebrates, and fish. But we still haven’t managed to push the maximum human lifespan, which hovers around 100 years.”
Changing our genes to slow down aging remains a huge, complex challenge. Pedro Sánchez adds a crucial detail. “Unless artificial intelligence speeds up discoveries and we find ways to reprogram genes, this is something that would take decades to put into practice for humans today.”
Living Longer, but Living Well
Here lies the true puzzle. Simply adding more years to the calendar isn’t enough. Those extra years must be worth living and enjoyable. “Experiments with mice don’t check for quality of life,” Sánchez mentions. “They don’t look at their independence, how well they move, or their ability to function. That’s what really matters for us.”
Science might offer us more time on Earth. But the harder goal will be making sure those extra years are good ones, dignified and fulfilling. While Putin and Xi dream of forever, the rest of us face the same old question. Do we want to live longer, or do we simply want to live better?