Geneticist Steve Horvath Projects 150-Year Human Lifespan Through Rejuvenation Science

Geneticist Steve Horvath has projected that the average human lifespan could reach 150 years, a forecast based on the rapid advancement of cellular rejuvenation technologies. This projection shifts the scientific focus from treating individual age-related diseases to fundamentally modifying the biological processes that drive senescence itself.

Horvath, formerly a Professor of Human Genetics and Biostatistics at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), currently serves as a Principal Investigator leading the U.K. research efforts for Altos Labs, a biotechnology firm focused on age reversal. Central to his forecast is Horvath's development of epigenetic aging clocks, which quantify biological age by analyzing DNA methylation, the chemical modification of DNA that regulates gene expression.

These sophisticated biomarkers, including the highly predictive GrimAge model, offer scientists a critical metric to empirically validate whether specific interventions successfully decelerate or reverse the biological aging trajectory. The GrimAge clock, for example, has shown superior predictive utility for various clinical phenotypes and all-cause mortality compared to other epigenetic estimators. Horvath's prior work, such as developing the first pan-tissue clock in 2013 and the first pan-mammalian clock in 2021, solidifies the foundation for these longevity assessments.

Altos Labs, founded in 2021 by Rick Klausner and Hans Bishop with substantial backing, including initial seed funding of $3 billion, is dedicated to restoring cellular health and resilience through rejuvenation programming. This mission is informed by the 2006 discovery of the Yamanaka Factors by Shinya Yamanaka, which demonstrated the capacity to reprogram adult cells into an embryonic-like state. Horvath joined Altos Labs to leverage its collaborative environment for using epigenetic clocks to identify novel anti-aging interventions.

The utility of these clocks is significant, as Horvath noted they allow scientists to evaluate the efficacy of anti-aging therapies in a compressed timeframe, potentially within three years rather than decades. The ability to track modifiable biological age provides a tangible pathway for individuals to monitor the impact of lifestyle adjustments and emerging treatments on their rate of aging. Horvath confirms that achieving significant life extension is a realistic goal contingent upon sustained biomedical innovation, while emphasizing that realizing this extended healthspan depends on successfully navigating global existential risks.