Scientists say humans could theoretically live up to 190 years
A new study suggests that, according to one model, the human lifespan could theoretically reach nearly 190 years if all aging factors except one — somatic mutations — were eliminated. Researchers stress this remains far from achievable in practice.
Researchers have tried to determine how long a human could theoretically live if medicine could address every aging mechanism except one: so-called somatic mutations. The findings were reported by the portal Metro.co.uk.
Somatic mutations are small errors that occur in DNA every time a cell divides. Most of these mutations are harmless, but some can trigger cancer. Over time, the accumulation of these mutations begins to disrupt cell function, eventually leading to organ failure and death.
A striking figure from the model
Study author Dr. Krukov explains that the model his team developed estimates how the buildup of somatic mutations affects lifespan by gradually depleting cellular resources across different tissues. If all other aging factors were eliminated or made treatable, average human lifespan could reach between 146 and 194 years, depending on the specific model used.
This shows that while somatic mutations are, on their own, a surprisingly weak driver of aging, they can become highly significant when combined with other mechanisms.
Not all organs age equally
Researchers caution that people will not start living to 190 anytime soon, since different organs cope with aging differently. Skin and liver cells, for instance, are continuously replaced with new ones, allowing them to keep functioning longer. Heart and brain cells, by contrast, are largely non-renewable, meaning mutations continue accumulating in them throughout life, ultimately limiting overall lifespan.
The study therefore points to a theoretical ceiling on human longevity while also ruling out true immortality, since somatic mutations are a process that cannot be entirely prevented.
