What’s the story?
Geneticist Steve Horvath predicted that humans would eventually live to be 150 years old. This prediction is based on recent advances in biological clock and rejuvenation research. Horvath, who created the first widely used epigenetic “aging clock,” emphasized the importance of accurately measuring biological age in longevity research. This advancement has allowed scientists to test treatments aimed not only at treating disease, but also potentially slowing or reversing the aging process.
Horvath’s breakthrough in biological age measurement
Horvath’s research in the early 2010s revolutionized longevity research. He developed a test based on DNA Methylation. Estimate the biological age of people across your organization. This gave scientists a way to quantify aging itself, rather than relying solely on years lived. Horvath later expanded this to more sophisticated clocks like GrimAge, which predicts mortality risk based on biological signals rather than chronological age.
Approach to extreme longevity
Despite being confident he could reach 150, Horvath dismissed the idea of humans living for 1,000 years as “pure science fiction.” He emphasized that today’s science focuses on practical benefits rather than immortality. But he argued that decades of sustained biomedical innovation could meaningfully reshape human lifespans, albeit to less fanciful extremes.
A vision for future biomedical innovation
Horvath envisions that if humans can avoid disasters such as nuclear holocausts, wars, and pandemics, we could find ways to significantly extend lifespans. “Imagine another 100 years of biomedical innovation,” he said. “What would that do for health?” This statement emphasizes his belief that future scientific advances have the potential to significantly improve human health and longevity.