The “life extension” dialogue between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which recently made headlines in the world press, reignited debates on whether human lifespan can truly extend up to 150 years.
Prof. Dr. Kaan Yılancıoğlu, a Molecular Biology and Genetics Specialist, stated that human lifespan reaching 150 years will first occur in Asian countries, not in the West. He said, “Regulations are very strict in the West, but more flexible in Asian countries. The first genetically modified humans were also born in China. Therefore, the 150-year lifespan target can first be implemented in countries like China. Scientific risks are tested more freely there.”
Prof. Dr. Yılancıoğlu stated that human life extending to 150 years might be possible not in 2030, but within the next 50 years. He said, “The year 2030 is a bit early. Perhaps we can reach average ages in the 90s, but 150 years requires another 50 years. Children born today will witness these developments. We may see them live up to 150 years old.”
The “life extension” dialogue between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which recently made headlines in the world press, reignited debates on whether human lifespan can truly extend up to 150 years.
Prof. Dr. Kaan Yılancıoğlu, Head of the Biosecurity Department at Üsküdar Üniversitesi Institute of Addiction and Forensic Sciences, and a Molecular Biology and Genetics Specialist, evaluated the role of genetic science, biotechnology, and organ regeneration in extending life.
Human lifespan has extended in the last 70 years
Prof. Dr. Yılancıoğlu pointed out that human lifespan has significantly extended in the last 70 years, stating:
“Human lifespan has already extended since the 1950s. The average life expectancy has increased from the 50s and 60s to 83-85 years. Scientific studies indicate that human life can extend up to 150 years, considering organ durability and biotechnological advancements. Rockefeller lived to almost 100 years old and underwent multiple organ transplants throughout his life. He was able to endure until that age thanks to organs like the liver and kidneys. This shows that it is possible to manage to a certain extent with organ transplantation.”
The issue is not living long, but living healthy
Yılancıoğlu emphasized that life extension research is now focused not just on “aging,” but on healthy aging. He said, “Longevity, the science of a long but high-quality life, is very popular these days. As human lifespan extends, maintaining health at neurological, cardiac, and cellular levels becomes more crucial. It's no longer just about living long, but about healthy aging. There are pioneers of this worldwide. Brian Johnson constantly monitors his body by performing over 2000 tests every day and regulates his lifestyle accordingly. He has positioned himself almost like a scientific subject. We will see the limits of healthy aging through such examples.”
We can achieve it not through organ transplantation, but through genetics
Prof. Dr. Yılancıoğlu stated that organ transplants offer a temporary solution for extending human lifespan. He said, “When you receive another person's organ, you need to undergo long-term immunosuppressive treatment for the body to accept it. This makes you vulnerable to bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Therefore, living for centuries solely with organ transplantation is not possible. The solution for the future lies in genetic engineering and cellular regeneration. Studies on molecules that delay aging, known as senolytics, are rapidly progressing. Drug trials to regrow teeth have started in Japan. Similarly, studies are being conducted on molecules that can slow down or even reverse aging.”
The era of producing our own organs is approaching
Prof. Dr. Yılancıoğlu stated that in the future, it will be possible for people to produce organs from their own stem cells. He said, “Tissue regeneration techniques are developing. Thanks to IPS technologies, it will become possible to produce organs from an individual's own cells. Thus, instead of receiving someone else's organ, we will be able to regenerate our own organs.”
Furthermore, Prof. Dr. Yılancıoğlu stated that studies on organ transplantation from genetically modified animals are also progressing. He said, “Proteins that the human immune system recognizes and attacks have been genetically removed in pigs. These organs are becoming transplantable to humans. This means animal-sourced organ transplantation will reach the clinical stage in the very near future.”
150 years might first be possible in Asia
Prof. Dr. Yılancıoğlu stated that human lifespan reaching 150 years will first occur in Asian countries, not in the West. He said, “Regulations are very strict in the West, but more flexible in Asian countries. The first genetically modified humans were also born in China. Therefore, the 150-year lifespan target can first be implemented in countries like China. Scientific risks are tested more freely there.”
Prof. Dr. Yılancıoğlu stated that the dialogue between Putin and Xi was “not just a conversation, but also a message.” He added, “Biotechnology will develop rapidly first in these countries. Since scientific ethics and legal limitations are stricter in the West, we will see these developments later there.”
Children born today might see 150 years
Prof. Dr. Kaan Yılancıoğlu stated that human life extending to 150 years might be possible not in 2030, but within the next 50 years, adding:
“The year 2030 is a bit early. Perhaps we can reach average ages in the 90s, but 150 years requires another 50 years. Children born today will witness these developments. We may see them live up to 150 years old. For our generation, the limit is still around 100 years.”
Gene editing is advancing rapidly, but processes in healthcare are slow
Prof. Dr. Kaan Yılancıoğlu pointed out that gene editing technologies like CRISPR and PA (Prime Editing) will revolutionize human life extension, stating, “We can remove faulty genetic material and insert healthy genes in their place. It is now possible to change even a single mutation. However, regulations in healthcare are very slow. It takes 5 to 15 years for a drug to enter clinical application. Therefore, we can only see discoveries from the laboratory in the clinic 15-20 years later.”
Yılancıoğlu emphasized that despite the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, the same speed is not possible in healthcare. He concluded, “There are no safety regulations in artificial intelligence, which is why it's so fast. But in healthcare, there are ethical principles, approval processes, and regulations. This naturally slows down progress.”