The World as You’ll Know It: The Future Of Aging The Billion Dollar Bet: Will Humans Live to 150?
May 20, 2025
Venki Ramakrishnan, a Nobel Prize-winning structural biologist, dives into the intricate science of aging and the ongoing bet between biologist Steve Austad and biostatistician Jay Olshansky about whether a person will live to 150 by 2150. The discussion touches on fundamental questions of lifespan limits, groundbreaking research on ribosomes and genetics, and the potential for biotech innovations to not just prolong life but enhance its quality. Prepare for a thought-provoking exploration of longevity and the mysteries of human aging.
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A Bold Bet on Longevity
- Steve Austad boldly predicted in 1999 that someone alive then would live to 150 years old.
- This was shocking, as the longest recorded lifespan then was 122 years by Jeanne Calment.
Hard Limits of Lifespan
- Jay Olshansky believes extending life to 150 requires breakthroughs far beyond those that got people to 122.
- Death rates increase drastically past 100 years, making 150 highly improbable naturally.
Lion Attack Changed Career
- Steve Austad was once attacked by a lion named Orville during his animal training days.
- This incident led him to pursue a biology career studying animal longevity.
