The idea of living forever sounds like something out of a science fiction novel, yet researchers are exploring the possibilities in reality. One scientist suggests that humans might live anywhere from 1,000 to 20,000 years, but there’s a catch.
If you were offered the chance to extend your life beyond 1,000 years, would you take it? Many people might say “Yes” without hesitation, but there’s a crucial aspect to consider: living longer means needing to maintain good health, too.
Joao Pedro de Magalhaes, a Professor of Molecular Biogeology at the Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, UK, believes that extended lifespans might be feasible in the future. However, there’s one pivotal element missing that needs to be addressed first.
The mysteries of ageing
“We need to learn how to repair DNA and reprogram cells for a radically different ageing process,” he recently shared with ScienceAlert. This capability, observable in the Greenland whale, allows it to mend its DNA, which helps it resist diseases that typically afflict humans.
In humans, the p53 gene, located on chromosome 17, is often called the “tumour suppressor” because it regulates cell growth and division while signaling other genes to repair damaged DNA. Unfortunately, it is inactive in half of all cancer cases, which can diminish life expectancy.
Scientific progress means we can hope for anything
Magalhaes suggests that if ageing is embedded in our DNA, it might be possible to reprogram cells to alter the genes related to ageing. He references advancements in medicine over the last hundred years, saying, “My great-grandfather died of pneumonia, a leading cause of death in the 1920s. Today, it can be easily treated with penicillin. I think we could do something similar with ageing.”
That said, he doesn’t believe a fountain of youth is just around the corner. Still, he thinks we could learn from certain compounds in animals to potentially lengthen our lifespans. One example is rapamycin, which has been shown to extend life by 10-15% in some mammals and is currently used in humans for organ transplant medications.
“I am optimistic that we will develop drugs similar to statins, which we take daily to lower heart disease risk but tailored for longevity,” says Magalhaes. “If we could slow human ageing by even 10% or just 5%, that would be remarkable.” A life spanning 1,000 or 20,000 years may be a distant dream, but who knows what the future holds in a few centuries?
