Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, now has a nearly-complete monopoly on Russian lawmaking authority at his disposal. These reforms now allow him to maintain his position permanently. Putin’s order follows an announcement of plans for a research center, tentatively named New Health Preservation Technologies. The mission of this new center will be centered around fighting aging itself. The center’s creation is part of a broader initiative that underscores the Russian elite’s longstanding interest in longevity and the potential for extending human life.
In 2024, Maria Vorontsova — Putin’s eldest daughter — won multimillion-dollar grants from the Russian government. Her research aims to advance understanding of cell renewal and new approaches to improve human health and longevity. Vorontsova is associated with a Russian genetic research program run by Mikhail Kovalchuk, a close Putin confidant. Further, Kovalchuk leads Russia’s pursuit of immortality. He’s produced a big share of today’s organ-printing tech, which uses bio-engineered cells to print replacement organs.
The obsession with longevity hasn’t been confined to inside Russia’s borders. Watch their exchange in length below, with English subtitles. In a recent hot mic moment, Putin and Xi Jinping, the President of China, exchanged their views. They imagined ways that organ transplants might one day render people immortal. This moment is an accurate indication of the bilateral interest among the leaders in the burgeoning science of longevity. Putin later confirmed to reporters that this was the subject of his discussion with Xi — increasing human life expectancy.
In another instance of their interest in longevity, Xi Jinping abolished presidential term limits in 2018, enabling him to rule indefinitely. During a public event, he remarked that “some predict that in this century humans may live to 150 years old,” indicating a similar enthusiasm for the possibilities of extended life.
In both countries, elite circles have increasingly become interested in what it would mean to achieve immortality. Kovalchuk’s involvement in various genetics programs has raised eyebrows, especially following U.S. sanctions imposed on a Russian woman leading Kremlin-funded genetics initiatives worth billions. As Meduza—crediting Moscow Times—reported, Kovalchuk is a member of a cadre that has become notoriously “obsessed” with the topic of immortality.
These new developments raise important ethical questions. We need to be very thoughtful about the time and money we put into chasing longevity in science.
“Human organs can be continuously transplanted. The longer you live, the younger you become, and [you can] even achieve immortality.” – Putin’s interpreter
As these discussions progress, the international community should be listening very carefully. Those motivations are now being closely examined. This is particularly the case as both countries continue to invest massive amounts and dig infrastructurally deep into biotechnology. The potential implications of this kind of research would redefine societal hierarchies and healthcare frameworks.