The ancient human quest for immortality has taken a modern, high-stakes turn, as some of the world's most powerful and wealthy individuals are seriously investing in the pursuit of extreme longevity, even hinting at the possibility of human immortality. Chinese Premier Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin were reportedly overheard discussing scientific advances that could lead to lifespans of 150 years or even immortality. Putin himself has invested millions into anti-ageing research projects, a significant increase from just a few years prior. Similarly, Silicon Valley billionaires like former Amazon chief Jeff Bezos, OpenAI's Sam Altman, Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, and PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel are pouring vast sums into scientific research aimed at defeating aging.

This contemporary drive echoes the Epic of Gilgamesh, humanity's oldest story, where King Gilgamesh desperately sought a mythical plant for eternal youth after the death of a friend, ultimately failing. Today's "tech bros," however, approach aging not through mythical plants, but as an engineering or software problem to be solved with cutting-edge technology. Jeff Bezos has backed Altos Labs, a California-based biotech firm exploring gene activation for cell rejuvenation. Sam Altman has invested £135 million in Retro Biosciences, a tech startup focused on engineering aged cells to become "newborn" again.

The pursuit of radical longevity by the super-rich comes despite evidence that wealth already confers a significant life-extending advantage. Research from the University of Toronto found that Oscar-winning actors live 3.9 years longer than their peers, and the US National Institutes of Health reported that the richest Americans live at least a dozen years longer than the poorest. Yet, this existing advantage seems insufficient for those aiming for a break from human mortality.

Beyond the billionaires, the longevity trend is filtering down, with a boom in high street "longevity" clinics across the UK. These clinics offer diverse therapies, from hyperbaric oxygen chambers (believed by some studies to slow cellular aging) to cryotherapy, which aims to reduce harmful inflammation. The demand is so high that the Apex Longevity Academy has launched in London to train healthcare professionals in "longevity medicine," reflecting a global surge from under 100 clinics in 2013 to over 3,000 today.

Ironically, this intense focus on extending life unfolds amidst a dramatic stalling of life expectancy improvements, particularly in the UK, which shows Europe's worst performance. A Lancet Public Health study revealed England's average annual life expectancy improvement fell significantly between 2011 and 2019. Other European nations like Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland also experienced slowdowns. Primary causes cited include deaths from cardiovascular disease and and cancer, linked to junk food diets, obesity, high alcohol consumption, and low physical activity. Professor Martin McKee of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine emphasizes that this trend signals a national health crisis.

Furthermore, not only are people in the UK not living significantly longer, but they are spending more of their later years burdened by chronic illness. A report in The BMJ indicated a drop in average healthy life expectancy over the past decade, meaning millions suffer decades of ill-health before death. Coupled with falling IQ scores—associated with increased risks of dementia, diabetes, and depression—this paints a grim picture. This raises concerns about a potential future where humanity divides into two distinct populations: a tiny elite of super-rich, potentially immortal, individuals, and the vast majority living shorter, sicker, and less intelligent lives.

Prominent figures in the longevity movement include biohacker Bryan Johnson, founder of Braintree, who reportedly spends a quarter of a million dollars annually on his regimen. His routine has included high-frequency abdominal stimulation and severe calorie restriction (1,977 calories daily). Entrepreneur and investor Peter Diamandis, who launched a £60 million prize for a treatment reversing 20 years of aging by 2030, follows a strict daily routine involving multiple monitors and five daily pill packs. His Fountain Life longevity clinic charges £75,000 annually for comprehensive care, with plans to integrate implantable sensors and AI for constant health monitoring and early disease detection.

Despite these ambitious efforts, the efficacy of these novel longevity therapies remains unproven in a conventional sense, lacking large-scale trials and rigorous independent examination published in reputable scientific journals. Many leading scientists express skepticism about the possibility of radically extending human life much further. Professor Stuart Jay Olshansky of the University of Illinois at Chicago, in a 2024 Nature Aging study, declared "radical extension to human life expectancy is implausible in this century," noting the slowdown in life expectancy increase and the unlikelihood of survival to age 100 exceeding 15% for females and 5% for males. The maximum verified human lifespan currently stands at 122 years for Jeanne Calment and 116 for Jiroemon Kimura.

Professor McKee dismisses the billionaires' quest as "an interesting social phenomenon, rather than a scientific breakthrough," doubting that "rhetoric will meet the reality." He suggests that while scientists chase technological solutions, the most effective way to add healthy years to life is through traditional healthy lifestyles. A 2023 study in Nature Food by the University of Bergen found that 40-year-olds adopting healthier diets (more wholegrains, nuts, fruits, less junk food, processed meat, sugary drinks) could add over 10 years to their lives. Nick Steel, a clinical professor in public health, emphasizes two crucial factors: healthier eating and less sedentary time.

However, scientific research continues to explore various avenues to halt or reverse human aging. Promising advances include:

Drugs to Clean Out ‘Old’ Cells: Senescent cells, which accumulate with age and secrete molecules accelerating aging, are targets for at least 20 ongoing clinical trials. Mouse studies show these drugs can restore health, prevent cancer and heart problems, and even regenerate fur.

Metformin – The 3p Pill for Longevity: The widely used diabetes drug metformin, costing as little as 3p per pill, helps control blood sugar and reduces inflammation. Longevity scientists are interested in its potential to improve lifespan and extend healthy life by warding off age-related diseases. A study in the Journal of Gerontology found women taking metformin were 30% less likely to die before 90.

Intermittent Fasting and Calorie Restriction: Calorie restriction slows cellular aging by prompting cells to recycle waste, improving function. While regular starvation can cause deficiencies, US scientists developed a diet mimicking fasting effects. Volunteers on a low-calorie, low-protein diet for five days a month were found to be "biologically younger" after three months, reported Nature Communications in 2024.

Drugs to Slow Genetic Decline: Telomere lengthening is a focus of anti-aging research. Telomeres protect chromosomes, and their gradual shortening with age is linked to aging. Animal studies suggest that using an enzyme called telomerase to lengthen telomeres could extend life and fend off age-related diseases, with human trials now underway.

Boosting the Gut Microbiome: Research indicates the gut microbiome controls the aging process, beyond its known roles in immunity and digestion. Studies show very old individuals have more diverse gut microbes, believed to combat inflammation linked to chronic disease and premature death. Animal studies suggest gut-friendly probiotics can increase lifespan.

Copying the Immortal Jellyfish: The Turritopsis dohrnii, or immortal jellyfish, possesses a unique ability to reverse its aging cycle. When damaged or deprived, it reverts to its pre-life stage and can grow to adulthood again repeatedly. Scientists are studying its life cycle for clues to human immortality, representing a frontier in understanding biological regeneration.