Can Humans Live to 150 Years? Insights from Scientists and Researchers
The idea of surpassing the current maximum human lifespan of 120 years is intriguing, but how feasible is it based on current scientific understanding?
Historical Perspectives
Looking back at history, many biblical figures like Adam and Eve and Noah lived for hundreds of years. This raises questions about the upper limit of the human lifespan. In reality, the only person on record to live over 120 years was Jeanne Calment, who died at 122 years old in 1997. While life expectancy has increased dramatically over the past century, improvements have recently plateaued, especially in the United States.
Current Limitations and Research
Despite significant advancements in medical research, the scientific community has not found a reliable way to extend human lifespan beyond 100 years. However, there are promising methods to preserve well-being until very old age, such as muscle training, which can extend your lifespan by approximately 10 years.
The allure of living longer has attracted many wealthy individuals who invest heavily in extending their lifespans. For instance, billionaires like Jeff Bezos and others spend millions on research and anti-aging technologies. Yet, despite substantial investment, no reliable methods have emerged to live beyond 100 years.
Challenges in Longevity Research
The quest for longevity faces numerous challenges:
Speculative nature of aging research: The field is heavily speculative and plagued by hype, which can hinder real progress.
Limited success with anti-aging medications: Most successful stories come from rodent studies, and many medications that work on rodents fail to translate to humans. For example, effective anti-aging treatments for rodents often involve multiple doses, but even with these, animals still die of natural causes.
Modest life extension effects: Treatments that show promise in humans have modest effects compared to those in rodents. These treatments often do not provide significant life extension.
Intrinsically risky treatments: Some promising anti-aging medications, like the Yamanaka factors, carry risks such as cancer, limiting their application.
Global Trends in Lifespan Research
Despite the global focus on extending lifespan, the pace of technological advancements, including drug development, is slowing down. This trend, known as Eroom's Law, suggests that breakthroughs in longevity may be limited in the near future.
Voice of Skepticism and Optimism
I share a mix of hope and skepticism regarding the future of anti-aging research. While I strongly hope that anti-aging will become possible during my lifetime and that humans can achieve longevity escape velocity, some parts of me remain skeptical about all anti-aging claims.
The key takeaway is that while the possibility of living to 150 years exists, it is currently not supported by reliable scientific evidence. If and when anti-aging methods become viable, they will likely need to address a range of complex biological and health factors.