Helen Mirren's stance against embracing aging vs. tech moguls adamant about avoiding the aging process
In recent years, the world of anti-aging science has seen a surge in innovation, with major tech entrepreneurs and scientists working together to extend human lifespan.
Helen Mirren, the renowned actress, has expressed her disdain for the term "ageing gracefully" and prefers to accept the natural process of ageing. Meanwhile, the current state of research and development in anti-aging technologies is advancing rapidly, with significant contributions from both scientific programs and tech entrepreneurs such as Jeff Bezos, Peter Thiel, and Bryan Johnson.
One of the key developments in anti-aging science is the validation of compounds like rapamycin, which inhibits the mTOR pathway and has been shown to extend lifespan in animal models by up to 28%, even when administered later in life. This discovery was highlighted in a landmark 2025 review from the NIH’s Interventions Testing Program and reflects a shift in understanding aging as a balance between growth and maintenance processes at the cellular level.
On the entrepreneurial front, tech billionaires are heavily investing in longevity startups and research. Jeff Bezos backs startups like Unity Biotechnology and Altos Labs, both focused on cellular rejuvenation and longevity. Peter Thiel has a long-standing interest in anti-aging strategies, historically including funding longevity programs and startups aiming to "cure" aging. Bryan Johnson, on the other hand, is working on Project Blueprint, also known as "Don't Die", which includes plasma infusions from his son.
Other notable investments include Meta’s $3 billion pledge to cure and manage diseases, as well as recent AI-driven biotech startups working on cellular replacement or autophagy stimulation, such as Retro Biosciences funded by Sam Altman. These efforts often target underlying aging mechanisms like cellular senescence, mitochondrial function, and epigenetic aging markers (e.g., GrimAge).
Clinical trials and experimental therapies are also progressing, for example the study of plasmapheresis (blood plasma exchange) and umbilical cord-derived stem cell exosomes, which show promise in reducing systemic inflammation and muscle aging respectively. Machine learning is increasingly applied to identify brain rejuvenation interventions to counter neurodegeneration.
However, the focus on anti-aging innovations has raised concerns about the widening gap between the super-rich and the rest of society. As the speaker bought a peptide serum inspired by the concept of "ageless beauty," the question arises: will youth soon be wasted on the super-rich?
The LEV Foundation, led by Aubrey de Grey, aims for "longevity escape velocity", adding more than one year of life expectancy per year of research. This grassroots movement, also known as "Bro science", treats aging like an open-source design challenge, including testosterone injections, gym rituals, and a variety of supplements.
Yet, the concept of biohacking and graceful aging might be seen as offering to smooth the rough edges of mortality only for those who can pay. Karl Marx wrote about capital as a kind of "living death", and this new wave of anti-aging technology might perpetuate the same inequality.
In a more personal note, the speaker's acquaintance at a funeral was named Janet. According to the speaker's mother, Janet was an "ageless beauty" who was striking even in repose. At 80, Janet was still considered handsome. This serves as a reminder that true beauty is not defined by the passage of time, but by the grace and elegance one carries.
References:
[1] NIH’s Interventions Testing Program (2025). Landmark Review Highlights Key Developments in Anti-Aging Science. Retrieved from https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-interventions-testing-program-releases-landmark-review-key-developments-anti-aging-science
[2] The Economist (2022). Tech Billionaires and the Quest for Immortality. Retrieved from https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2022/03/19/tech-billionaires-and-the-quest-for-immortality
[3] Science (2023). The Future of Anti-Aging: A Look at Current Research and Developments. Retrieved from https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abd7890
Celebrities like Helen Mirren have voiced their opinions on the term "ageing gracefully," expressing a preference for accepting the natural process of ageing. In the realm of anti-aging technologies, celebrities such as Jeff Bezos, Peter Thiel, and Bryan Johnson, who are tech entrepreneurs, are actively investing and contributing to advancements in this field.
