Science: How long can humans live?

Joo Pedro de Magalhes, a professor of molecular biogerontology at the University of Birmingham in England, is one of the most ardent proponents of the theory that humans could live for thousands of years. Magalhaes has researched the genomes of extremely long-lived creatures such as the bowhead whale (which can live for 200 years) and the naked mole rat (which can live for up to 30 years, a record for a rodent).

Based on his findings, Magalhes believes that if we could eradicate aging at the molecular level, humans may live for 20,000 years. He contends that the aging process is triggered by a variety of causes, including DNA damage, the increase of senescent cells, and immune system degradation. If we can find techniques to avoid or cure these damages, we may be able to extend human life indefinitely.

What is the current maximum human lifespan?

The current greatest recorded human lifetime is 122 years. This is the age at which Jeanne Calment, a French woman and supercentenarian, died in 1997. According to the Guinness World Records and the Gerontology Research Group, Calment was the oldest verified human to have survived to the age of 122.

Who is called a supercentenarian?

A supercentenarian is someone who has lived to the age of 110. The term "supercentenarian" is derived from the Latin terms "super" (which means "above") and "centenarian" (which means "one hundred years old").

Can humans live that long? Yes.

Magalhaes' hypothesis of cellular aging elimination is based on the assumption that aging is programmed into our cells. This implies that we must target specific genes that regulate the aging process, cell death, DNA repair, and metabolism.

But how is that possible?

There have been some encouraging advancements in anti-aging science in recent years. Scientists, for example, have found a number of genes implicated in the aging process and are seeking to develop medications that can target these genes. Despite the fact that the technology has not yet been developed. Magalhes cites studies on rapamycin, a medicine that has been demonstrated to lengthen lifespan in mice, as proof that this objective may be achievable.

Magalhaes' research is also based on the study of extremely long-lived creatures, such as the bowhead whale (which can live for more than 200 years) and the naked mole rat (which can live for 30 years, while related rodents live for less). These animals have evolved to be extraordinarily resistant to aging and can live for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.

Magalhes believes that by studying these creatures, we will be able to discover how to enhance human lifetime in a similar way. Listen to an extract from one of his TEDx lectures on how to manipulate aging.

Let us come to the burning question.

How long can humans actually live?

"We could live for a millennium. If we eliminated aging at the cellular level, humans could live for 1,000 years to potentially as long as 20,000 years." - Magalhés

DNA damage, on the other hand, is a major contributor to aging. When DNA is damaged, it can generate mutations, which can lead to cancer. "They seem to have much better DNA repair," stated Magalhes of bowhead whales. The bowhead whale has a gene called P53, which is involved in DNA repair. This gene is found in humans as well, however it is not as active. If we could develop a mechanism to boost P53 activity in human cells, we may potentially extend human life.

Magalhaes also believes that other genes may be involved in the bowhead whale's extended longevity. He claims that if we could target these genes in people to slow down cell growth and metabolism, we may potentially lengthen human life.

So, all it takes is tweaking our genetic code?

Yes. Though the thought of people living for thousands of years by modifying our genetic code is intriguing, it is crucial to emphasize that this is currently only a theoretical possibility. The future of human longevity is unknown, but research by Joo Pedro de Magalhes and others suggests that the human species may someday live hundreds, if not thousands, of years.