Russian scientists are undertaking a comprehensive study of elderly monkeys, examining thousands of animals from 22 species to uncover the biological mechanisms of aging and potentially extend human lifespan.
The initiative is spearheaded by Mikhail Kovalchuk, an 80-year-old who serves as a scientific advisor to President Vladimir Putin. His state-run Kurchatov Institute houses over 7,000 monkeys, including a specific cohort of animals aged 18 to over 30 years. Researchers are meticulously analyzing blood, brains, and internal organs of these older primates for insights into longevity.
"We are conducting screenings of elderly monkeys to observe all stages of ageing," Kovalchuk stated at a scientific forum in Moscow. "We conduct a complete screening: biochemical analysis, structural analysis, vascular studies, brain scans, everything. Primates are the closest example to us. This is the foundation for creating a regulatory system for extending [lifespan]."
The project also involves the Petrovsky Russian Scientific Centre of Surgery, where samples are stored in a special blood bank. Director Konstantin Kotenko noted that these samples aid in understanding the biological processes of aging.
This research aligns with President Putin's expressed interest in significantly extending human life. Previously, Putin was reportedly overheard discussing organ transplants and the possibility of humans living to 150 with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. At an AI conference, Putin suggested that reaching 150 years of age might be possible, though he implied it was not sufficient.
Putin's daughter, Maria Vorontsova, an endocrinologist, has also been involved in promoting research on anti-aging medicines and has stated that the "existential fear of death" is a primary driver for longevity developments. Russia is also reportedly fast-tracking research in areas such as 3D-printing living tissue, xenotransplantation, and the development of drugs designed to delay aging by targeting specific genes like RAGE.