Earlier this week, discussions about longevity took center stage when Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping shared perspectives on the concept of immortality. During their conversation, Xi Jinping, who is 72, remarked that “these days at 70 years old, you are still a child.” Putin responded by highlighting advances in biotechnology, suggesting that with continued development, organ transplants could lead to significantly extended life spans and the potential for immortality.
However, the practicality of achieving such advancements remains uncertain. Current medical technologies, including organ transplantation, are not projected to dramatically prolong human life in the near future. The science of aging is intricate, and researchers have yet to establish a consensus on the fundamental causes of aging, how to define it, or methods to effectively address it.
In a separate initiative, India is making strides in the sanitation sector by incorporating technology to reduce human involvement in hazardous cleaning practices. Jitender, who previously witnessed his parents working as manual scavengers in New Delhi, is now part of a workforce that aims to replace manual sewer cleaning with mechanical solutions. Despite the ban on manual scavenging since 1993, the practice continues in various parts of India, posing significant health and safety risks. Several companies are now developing robotic alternatives to create safer and more dignified methods for sanitation.
These developments highlight ongoing challenges in both medical technology and societal practices, raising questions about the future of health, aging, and public health methods.
Source: https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/09/05/1123207/the-download-longevity-myths-and-sewer-cleaning-robots/