The quest for a longer life, often termed "longevity," has captivated tech billionaires like Peter Thiel, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos, who are pouring billions into anti-aging research. Celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Hailey Bieber promote peptide therapies. Now, authoritarian leaders are joining the race. Last fall, a hot mic caught Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping discussing how organ replacement might enable humans to live to 150 or older.
Bojan Pancevski, chief European political correspondent for the Wall Street Journal, investigated Putin's health obsessions. He discovered a state-funded longevity program costing $26 billion. Pancevski shared insights on the Today, Explained podcast, detailing Putin's plans for organ replacement, the role of his daughter, and Russia's historical pursuit of immortality.
Organ Replacement: 3D Printing and Mini Pigs
Russia's longevity project focuses on two organ replacement methods. First, 3D printing of biological tissue aims to produce organs like lungs, livers, or hearts for implantation. Second, genetically modified mini pigs, which share genetic similarities with humans, are being used to grow organs for transplantation. While organ rejection remains a challenge, this technique is considered promising and is also being explored in China.
Putin's Cryo Chamber Habit
Putin reportedly uses a cryo chamber, a reverse sauna that reaches minus 170 degrees Fahrenheit. Former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz recalled a Kremlin meeting where Putin unexpectedly discussed the benefits of standing naked in extreme cold for several minutes. Kurz found the conversation unusual, as it diverted from political topics.
Peptides and Cellular Aging
Russian scientists are investigating peptides to slow or halt cellular aging. Putin's former longevity guru, a geriatric doctor and peptide pioneer, believed humans are programmed to live 120 years, citing the Old Testament. He died at 77. Putin has since appointed a new guru focused on mini pigs and 3D printing.
Putin's Daughter's Role
Putin's daughter, Maria Vorontsova, an endocrinologist, has received substantial state grants for longevity research. Her involvement underscores the personal importance Putin places on the project, allowing him to command state resources for this endeavor.
Historical Context: Russian Autocrats and Immortality
Russia has a long history of autocrats seeking eternal life. Joseph Stalin had a longevity guru who organized the world's first longevity conference in Kyiv in the late 1920s or early 1930s, claiming humans could live to 140. That guru died at 65. Anecdotal reports suggest Stalin was furious about his guru's early death.
Will Putin Share the Secrets?
If Putin's project yields breakthroughs, he is likely to prioritize himself, his family, and the elite. However, Russia's poor demographics—with a male life expectancy of 68 years—and the deadly war in Ukraine create a macabre irony: Putin seeks to prolong lives while his actions shorten them. Eventually, advances might trickle down to the population.
