isnaini azizah
Vitalism, more than just a philosophical concept, is a burgeoning movement driven by dedicated longevity enthusiasts aiming to pioneer treatments that could slow or even reverse the aging process. This ambitious endeavor extends beyond mere scientific advancement, actively seeking to garner support from influential figures and to shape laws and policies, thereby facilitating access to experimental longevity therapies. The movement is demonstrably gaining traction, signaling a shift in the landscape of aging research and intervention.
The genesis of Vitalism can be traced back to Adam Gries and Nathan Cheng, two individuals whose shared passion for extending human lifespan ignited their collaboration. The author’s initial encounter with Cheng was at Zuzalu in 2023, a unique pop-up city in Montenegro that served as a nexus for individuals interested in life extension and other cutting-edge technologies. This immersive experience, detailed further in a previous report, provided a firsthand glimpse into the vibrant and forward-thinking community dedicated to longevity. It was at Zuzalu that Vitalism was officially launched by Gries and Cheng, marking a significant step in formalizing their mission.
The author’s personal journey into the longevity scene began in 2022, an exploration that spanned diverse geographical locations, including Switzerland and Honduras, culminating in a gathering at a compound in Berkeley, California. These experiences offered a rich tapestry of conversations with like-minded individuals, all united by their profound interest in the prospect of extended lifespans. This exploration also extended to the corridors of power in Washington, D.C., where, in the preceding year, advocates for lifespan extension actively presented their case for legislative and policy reforms to prominent politicians, including Dr. Mehmet Oz, who now holds a significant leadership role at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
The author’s immersion in this field has been nothing short of fascinating, often veering into the realm of the peculiar and the surreal. Anecdotes shared have ranged from extreme biohacking stories, some with unsettling outcomes such as "smoking legs," to discussions about the potential for cryopreservation and subsequent reanimation to facilitate novel relationship structures, such as a multi-partner scenario involving a cryonically preserved individual and their past spouses. The ethical complexities of the field have also come to the fore, with some individuals expressing views that border on eugenics, advocating for parental selection of IVF embryos based on their perceived propensity for longevity. These experiences underscore the wide spectrum of ideas and practices within the longevity community, from the scientifically grounded to the more speculative and ethically challenging.
Beyond the realm of fringe communities and online influencers, the author’s reporting has revealed a significant and growing mainstream interest in longevity. Longevity clinics are proliferating, catering to a wider audience seeking to optimize their health and extend their lifespan. Concurrently, a surge in documentaries exploring the themes of living longer, or even achieving immortality, reflects a growing public fascination with the subject. This widespread attention indicates that the quest for extended life is no longer confined to niche circles but is increasingly becoming a topic of broad public discourse and interest.
Crucially, the longevity movement is beginning to exert influence on powerful individuals who shape state laws, control substantial federal funding budgets, and are instrumental in crafting national health policy. The community experienced considerable enthusiasm when Jim O’Neill, a long-standing advocate for longevity, was appointed Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services last year. His presence in a key governmental role, alongside other administration members, including Dr. Oz, who have publicly discussed longevity, has fueled optimism. Gries himself observed, "It seems that now there is the most pro-longevity administration in American history," highlighting the perceived shift in governmental priorities.
Further bolstering this sentiment is the author’s recent conversation with Alicia Jackson, the newly appointed director of ARPA-H (Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health). Established in 2022 under President Joe Biden’s administration, ARPA-H is tasked with funding "breakthrough" biomedical research, and it appears to be increasingly focusing on longevity. Jackson’s prior experience as the founder and leader of Evernow, a company dedicated to "health and longevity for every woman," further underscores her alignment with the field’s objectives.
During a recent Zoom call, Jackson articulated the core mission of her agency: "There’s a lot of interesting technologies, but they all kind of come back to the same thing: Could we extend life years?" She also noted the "incredible support" her agency has received from "the very top of HHS," and when pressed if this referred to Jim O’Neill, she confirmed it, though she declined to elaborate on specific details. This affirmation from a key figure within a major biomedical research funding agency, coupled with explicit backing from high levels within the Department of Health and Human Services, strongly suggests a growing governmental commitment to longevity research.
Gries’s assessment appears accurate; there is indeed substantial support for advancements in longevity treatments, with a notable portion originating from influential individuals holding positions of power. This convergence of scientific pursuit and political will suggests that the field may indeed be on the cusp of significant breakthroughs.
The inherent dynamism of the longevity landscape, characterized by its blend of groundbreaking science, ambitious advocacy, and occasional eccentricities, makes it a compelling and fascinating area to report on. Despite the moments of unexpected peculiarity, the underlying drive towards extending healthy human lifespans is gaining undeniable momentum and influence.
This article was originally published in The Checkup, MIT Technology Review’s weekly biotech newsletter. To receive it directly in your inbox every Thursday and get early access to articles like this, please sign up here.
