What if living to 150—or even 190—years became biologically possible?
A new scientific study suggests that such extraordinary lifespans may not be entirely beyond the limits of human biology. Researchers say that if future medicine succeeds in preventing or reversing nearly every known cause of ageing, the average human lifespan could theoretically extend to between 146 and 194 years.
However, the study also concludes that one fundamental biological process would continue to place an ultimate limit on how long humans can live: the gradual accumulation of somatic mutations—random DNA changes that occur naturally throughout life.
Rather than asking how to make people immortal, the researchers sought to answer a different question: What would ultimately end human life if every other ageing mechanism could be controlled?
Scientists identify one biological process that cannot be ignored
The research was conducted by scientists at the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech) in Russia.
Using a mathematical model, the researchers examined ageing driven solely by somatic mutations, deliberately excluding other well-known biological ageing processes.
Their findings suggest that while many causes of ageing may eventually become treatable, DNA mutations that accumulate in cells over time could remain the final barrier preventing unlimited human lifespan.
Lead researcher Dr Dmitrii Kriukov said the team built a model designed to estimate how somatic mutations alone gradually reduce the body's ability to maintain healthy tissues.
According to the researchers, these mutations slowly accumulate every time cells divide. Although the body's repair systems correct many of them, some mutations inevitably remain.
Over decades, this gradual damage can impair cell function, weaken tissues and eventually contribute to organ failure.
Why DNA mutations matter
Every day, billions of cells divide inside the human body.
Each division carries a small chance of introducing tiny copying errors into DNA, known as somatic mutations.
Most of these mutations cause no immediate harm because cells possess sophisticated DNA repair mechanisms.
However, the repair process is not perfect.
Some mutations can contribute to cancer, while others slowly reduce the normal functioning of healthy cells.
The researchers argue that even if future medicine completely eliminated cancer and successfully addressed other major causes of ageing, the steady accumulation of somatic mutations would still continue to affect the body's long-term ability to function.
How long could humans theoretically live?
Using several modelling approaches, the researchers estimated that if every other hallmark of ageing could one day be overcome, the average theoretical human lifespan would fall between 146 and 194 years.
The study therefore suggests that living close to 190 years could become biologically possible under highly optimistic future medical scenarios.
The researchers also explored more speculative theoretical conditions, under which maximum lifespan could extend far beyond that range. However, they stressed that such figures represent mathematical possibilities rather than realistic expectations for humans living today.
Ageing involves far more than one process
Scientists have long known that ageing results from numerous interconnected biological changes.
These include:
• shortening of telomeres that protect chromosomes;
• declining ability of cells to remove damaged proteins and waste;
• chronic inflammation;
• loss of stem cell function;
• mitochondrial dysfunction; and
• gradual accumulation of DNA damage.
The new research does not dispute the importance of these mechanisms.
Instead, it attempts to isolate one unavoidable contributor—somatic mutations—to understand how much it alone influences lifespan.
Technology is advancing—but immortality remains unlikely
Interest in longevity research has accelerated rapidly in recent years.
Scientists worldwide are investigating therapies designed to slow or partially reverse biological ageing.
Earlier this year, US biotechnology company Life Biosciences received FDA approval to begin a clinical trial exploring partial cellular rejuvenation for certain eye diseases.
Meanwhile, entrepreneur Bryan Johnson has attracted global attention for spending millions of dollars annually on an intensive anti-ageing programme intended to slow biological ageing.
Despite these advances, the new study suggests that extending lifespan indefinitely through medicine alone may not be biologically achievable.
Instead, future therapies may succeed in significantly extending healthy life while still remaining subject to fundamental biological limits.
Some organs may age differently
The study also found important differences between tissues.
Cells in the skin and liver continually regenerate throughout life, allowing these organs to replace damaged cells more effectively.
In contrast, many cells in the brain and heart are largely irreplaceable, meaning they continue accumulating mutations over decades.
These findings may help researchers identify where future anti-ageing treatments could have the greatest impact.
What the findings really mean
The researchers emphasize that their work does not predict people will soon begin living for 190 years.
Instead, it provides a scientific framework for understanding one of the biological mechanisms that may ultimately limit human lifespan.
The findings also highlight how much remains to be learned about ageing, longevity and the complex interaction between genetics, DNA repair and cellular health.
As research into healthy ageing continues, scientists say the goal is not simply to extend life—but to extend the years people spend living in good health.
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