Thomas Schulz & Mirco J. Friedrich

Living a healthy life longer and slowing down the aging process: What sounded like science fiction just a short time ago is now a field of serious research. Under the banner of “longevity,” laboratories, startups, and investors are working to better understand and specifically influence the biological processes of aging. But what is scientifically sound, and what is merely a costly trend? Thomas Schulz puts the longevity boom into perspective and highlights the scientific, economic, and ethical questions associated with the promise of a longer life.

Thomas Schulz is a reporter for SPIEGEL’s editorial board, a multi-award-winning journalist, and author of the book *Projekt Lebensverlängerung* (2024). In his research, he combines perspectives from science, technology, and society.

Mirco Julian Friedrich is a physician and scientist working at the intersection of immunology and aging research. He heads the Laboratory for Hematology and Immune Engineering at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg and conducts research on how age-related changes in the immune system can be specifically influenced.

Moderator: Katharina Menne, editor at *Spektrum der Wissenschaft* and co-host of the podcast *Die großen Fragen der Wissenschaft*

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