An unexpected topic emerged during a military parade in Beijing, where Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin were seen in a discussion.
Speaking through a translator, Putin told Xi how human organs can be repeatedly transplanted “so that one can get younger and younger,” potentially staving off old age “indefinitely.” He added that living to 150 might become possible in this century.
Their smiles and laughter suggested it was a moment of light banter, but as reported by BBC News, it brought up a serious scientific question: Can organ transplants truly lead to immortality?
Organ Transplants: Life-Saving, Not Life-Extending
Organ transplants are undoubtedly a life-saving medical advancement. In the UK, over 100,000 people have been saved over the last 30 years, according to NHS Blood and Transplant.
With continued advancements in medicine, transplanted organs are lasting far longer. Some kidney transplant patients have had their new organs function for over 50 years.
The lifespan of a transplanted organ depends on the health of the donor and recipient, as well as how well the organ is cared for. A kidney from a living donor might last 20 to 25 years, while one from a deceased donor typically lasts 15 to 20 years.
The type of organ also matters, with a liver lasting around 20 years, a heart 15 years, and lungs nearly 10 years, according to research.
While Putin and Xi’s conversation touched on the idea of multiple and repeated transplants, such procedures carry significant risks.
Every time a patient undergoes surgery, they are rolling the dice. Furthermore, transplant recipients must take powerful anti-rejection drugs, called immunosuppressants, for life.
These medications have side effects like high blood pressure and increase the risk of infections. Rejection can still occur even with medication, as the immune system may recognize the transplanted organ as a foreign body.
Future Technologies: Tailor-Made Organs
To overcome the challenge of rejection, scientists are developing new ways to create compatible organs. One promising area is xenotransplantation, using genetically-altered pigs as donors.
Scientists use the gene-editing tool CRISPR to remove certain pig genes and add human genes to make the organs more compatible.
Experts say pigs are ideal donors as their organs are roughly the right size for people.
While the science is still highly experimental, a few heart and kidney operations have been performed. Though the two men who received the procedures have since died, their contributions have been invaluable to the advancement of this field.
Another avenue being explored is growing brand new organs using our own human cells. Stem cells have the ability to develop into any type of cell or tissue.
While no research group has yet created a fully functional, transplantable human organ, scientists are getting closer.
In 2020, UK researchers rebuilt a human thymus using stem cells and a bioengineered scaffold, which appeared to work when transplanted into mice.
However, these medical advancements are primarily aimed at treating severe illnesses, not at extending human life to 150.
The Quest for Longevity vs. Healthy Years
Beyond organ transplantation, some individuals, like tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson, are spending millions to reduce their biological age. Johnson, who has not yet publicly tried organ transplants, once infused himself with his 17-year-old son’s plasma. He has since stopped this practice after seeing no benefits and facing increased medical scrutiny.
Dr. Julian Mutz from King’s College London notes that such strategies are still experimental. “Whether such strategies will have a meaningful impact on lifespan, particularly maximum human lifespan, remains uncertain,” he stated.
Professor Neil Mabbott, an immunopathology expert at the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, suggests that 125 years may be the upper limit for human lifespan. He points to Jeanne Calment, a Frenchwoman who lived to 122 (1875–1997), as the verified oldest person.
Mabbott explains that while transplants can replace damaged organs, aging reduces the body’s resilience to infections and physical stressors. “The stress of transplant surgery and lifelong immunosuppressant use would be particularly challenging for elderly patients,” he added.
Prof. Mabbott concludes that instead of focusing on extending life, we should strive for healthy years lived.
“Living a lot longer, but suffering from the multiple morbidities that can accompany ageing, and in-and-out of hospital for another tissue transplant does not sound an attractive way to spend my retirement!” he said.
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