Could Organ Transplants Lead to Immortality? Insights from Xi and Putin's Banter

Mon Oct 20 2025 07:02:10 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the potential of organ transplants in extending human life, hinting at a future where aging could be staved off indefinitely.

During a recent meeting, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin entertained the idea of using multiple organ transplants to potentially achieve immortality, with advocates suggesting that humans might live up to 150 years. As advancements in transplantation and genetics progress, the medical community remains divided. While organ donation saves countless lives, the risks associated with surgery and ongoing medication complicate the pursuit of an extended lifespan. Experts caution against the quest for longevity, arguing for a focus on healthy living instead.

Is it possible to become immortal with the help of organ transplants? That was the unexpected topic of discussion this week between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin when they met at a military parade in Beijing.

A translator, speaking in Mandarin on behalf of Putin, told Xi how human organs can be repeatedly transplanted 'so that one can get younger and younger' in spite of age, and might even be able to stave off old age 'indefinitely'.

'It's predicted that in this century it might become possible to live to 150,' he added.

Their smiles and laughter suggest it was a bit of banter, but might they be on to something?

Organ transplants certainly save lives - in the UK, over 100,000 people have been saved in the last 30 years, says NHS Blood and Transplant. Continued advancements in medicine and technology mean transplanted organs are lasting far longer once in people.

Some patients have had a kidney transplant that has kept working for more than 50 years. The lifespan of an organ depends on how healthy the donor and recipient is - plus how well they look after it.

For example, if you were to have a new kidney from a living donor, you might expect it to last 20 to 25 years. If you get it from a deceased donor, that drops to 15 to 20 years. The type of organ matters too.

A liver might last around 20 years, a heart 15 years, and lungs nearly 10 years, according to research.

Putin and Xi may be talking about having multiple organs transplanted and perhaps repeatedly. Having surgery is a big undertaking, though, with significant risks. Each time you go under the knife you are rolling the dice.

Currently, people who get a new organ also have to take strong anti-rejection drugs called immunosuppressants for life. These can have side effects, such as high blood pressure, and increase the risk of infections.

Rejection - when your immune system starts to attack the transplanted organ because it recognises it as coming from a different person - can sometimes still happen even if you are taking your medication.

Ticket to eternal life?

Organ transplant may provide a glimpse into extending life, but science remains cautious. Advancements in xenotransplantation, where genetically altered animal organs are used, as well as attempts to grow new human organs, showcase potential future pathways.

Yet the debate persists: should the focus be on living longer or healthier? While Xi and Putin's banter has sparked intrigue, experts stress the importance of prioritizing quality of life over mere longevity.