Meet the Vitalists: the hardcore longevity enthusiasts who believe death is “wrong”

Tech Titans, Longevity, and the Rise of the Vitalist Movement: Inside the Secret Push to Extend Human Life

In a world where Silicon Valley’s elite are pouring billions into the quest for immortality, a quiet revolution is taking place in the shadows of the biotech industry. The movement, known as “Vitalism,” is gaining traction among scientists, entrepreneurs, and even policymakers, but many are reluctant to publicly embrace the label. Why? Because the idea of extending human lifespans is still seen by some as the realm of “lunatics” chasing eternal youth.

“There’s a lot of closeted scientists working in our field, and they get really excited about lifespans increasing,” says Dr. Daniel Ives, founder of Shift Bioscience, a company at the forefront of longevity research. “But you’ll get people who’ll accuse you of being a lunatic that wants to be immortal.” Ives claims that biotech executives often confide in him that they are secretly working on longevity projects but avoid using the term publicly to avoid alienating funders or collaborators.

The Vitalist movement, which advocates for extending healthy human lifespans, has a simple creed: if you agree with its five core principles, you are a Vitalist—whether you choose to publicly identify as one or not. “It’s pretty simple,” says Joonas Hamalainen, a prominent figure in the movement. “If you agree with the five points, you are a Vitalist. You don’t have to be public about it.” Hamalainen says he’s encouraged others to “come out of the closet” about their Vitalist beliefs, and the response has been largely positive.

For some, like Gries, the movement’s leader, the stakes are even higher. He hints that there are now many people in powerful positions—including within the Trump administration—who share his views, even if they don’t openly identify as Vitalists. Among them is Jim O’Neill, the deputy secretary of health and human services, who has long been a vocal advocate for longevity research. O’Neill, who previously served as CEO of the SENS Research Foundation, a leading longevity organization, is now in a position to influence national health policy.

O’Neill’s appointment has been hailed by some as a sign that the federal government is becoming more receptive to the ideas of the longevity movement. “It seems that now there is the most pro-longevity administration in American history,” Gries says. However, O’Neill’s views remain controversial, and he did not respond to requests for comment on his role in the movement.

The Vitalist movement is not just confined to the halls of power in Washington, D.C. In late April, the Alliance for Longevity Initiatives (A4LI) hosted a summit in the capital, bringing together leaders, advocates, and innovators from around the globe to advance legislative initiatives that promote a healthier human lifespan. The event, which took place over three days, featured talks by scientists, lawyers, and biotech CEOs, many of whom were also attendees at the earlier Vitalist Bay Summit.

Among the speakers was Jan Anzinger, founder of Vitalia, a biotech company operating in Próspera, a special economic zone in Honduras. Anzinger spoke about the success he’s had in Próspera, where regulations are more favorable to biotech innovation. Also in attendance was Adam Brack of ARPA-H, the U.S. government’s advanced research agency for health, who discussed the work his agency is doing to accelerate breakthroughs in longevity research.

The rise of the Vitalist movement and its growing influence in both the private and public sectors raises important questions about the future of human health and longevity. As more people—both in and out of the closet—embrace the idea of extending healthy lifespans, the debate over the ethics, feasibility, and implications of such efforts is likely to intensify.

For now, the Vitalists are pushing forward, quietly but persistently, in their quest to redefine what it means to live a long and healthy life. Whether they succeed in bringing their vision to the mainstream remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the conversation about longevity is no longer confined to the fringes of science and technology. It’s now a topic of serious discussion among some of the most powerful people in the world.

Tags: #Longevity #Vitalism #Biotech #SiliconValley #JimONeill #HealthPolicy #FutureOfAging #LifeExtension #BiotechInnovation #Próspera #ARPAH #SENSResearchFoundation #SpecialEconomicZones #HealthAndWellness #ScienceAndTechnology

Viral Sentences:

• “There’s a lot of closeted scientists working in our field, and they get really excited about lifespans increasing.”
• “If you agree with the Vitalist declaration, you are a Vitalist.”
• “It seems that now there is the most pro-longevity administration in American history.”
• “The conversation about longevity is no longer confined to the fringes of science and technology.”
• “The Vitalist movement is gaining traction among scientists, entrepreneurs, and even policymakers.”

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