Putin and Xi want to live forever: is it even possible? Here’s what science says
During one of the world’s most spectacular military parades in Beijing, a forgotten live microphone captured a strange exchange. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping were overheard pondering the possibility of immortality, suggesting that the key might lie in organ transplants.
Putin and Xi talk immortality
According to a report by The Guardian, as the two leaders strolled across Tiananmen Square during the parade showcasing nuclear weapons and military hardware, Putin’s interpreter was heard saying: “Human organs can be continuously transplanted. The longer you live, the younger you become, and [you can] even achieve immortality.” Xi responded by noting that some believe humans could live up to 150 years in this century.
The topic is no coincidence for the two authoritarian figures: both have amended their constitutions to stay in power for life. Only biological limits stand in their way.
What does science say?
According to IFLScience, while the idea sounds intriguing at first glance, it’s far from feasible in practice. Though there are ongoing efforts to continually replace organs, the concept faces major obstacles.
First, there’s already a significant shortage of donor organs. In reality, it’s not just dictators who struggle to access transplants: many critically ill people don’t receive life-saving organs in time. Second, xenotransplantation (transplanting animal organs into humans) is still in its infancy. While a few patients have received genetically modified pig hearts or kidneys, most survived only a few months after surgery.
Many scientists see the key to longevity in genetic rejuvenation. A group of genes known as Yamanaka factors can “rewind” ageing cells to a stem cell-like state, effectively rejuvenating them. However, this research is still in an early phase and far from offering immortality to anyone.
The limits of reality
The longest confirmed human lifespan belongs to Jeanne Calment, who lived to be 122. Many consider this the natural limit for human organs, making the dream of living to 150 years highly uncertain.
Experts argue that healthier ways to extend life include proper nutrition, regular exercise, and avoiding smoking: all of which have been scientifically proven to increase lifespan. Some experiments also suggest that certain psychedelics, like magic mushrooms or low doses of cannabis, may slow the ageing process.
So while Putin and Xi may dream of immortality in the shadows of the parade, current science suggests they’re far more likely to gain a few extra years than eternal life.
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It’s not the organs or the cells. It’s the telomeres. They get shorter with age and there’s no way to “seal” them. Nor would you want to, for many reasons.
The only way to achieve immortality is to digitize the brain (q.v. transhumanism). Our best, most powerful computers–including quantum ones–are nowhere near having the processing power needed to emulate the human brain. It WILL happen someday but then the question will arise: What’s the point of living forever? (As if the mystery of the purpose of life is not fascinating as well as frustrating enough as it is now!)
These people are monsters discussing “living forever” from organ transplants from who? In China the government harvests the organs from prisoners. Are these hideous dictators to live forever taking organs from other people? The one thing that death does is that it eventually rids us of these bastards to the benefit of everyone on this planet. We can all celebrate when Putin’s rotting corpse is put in the ground.