Navigating Ethics in Global Longevity Research: Evaluating XPRIZE Healthspan’s Clinical Trial Framework

Abstract: ​​Societies worldwide are experiencing a decline in per capita fertility rates and aging populations, threatening the sustainability of pensions, healthcare systems, and overall economic productivity. In response, the field of geroscience seeks to develop interventions targeting the biology of aging to delay age-related diseases and extend healthspan. This presentation examines the ethical shortcomings of the clinical research guidelines of XPRIZE Healthspan, a global initiative launched in 2023 to advance longevity biotechnology and promote “healthy aging.” XPRIZE aims to redefine societal perceptions of aging and foster dialogue on the ethical, regulatory, and societal dimensions of geroscience. With a $101 million prize purse, this competition engages over 600 teams worldwide to develop interventions for functional restoration and the prevention of chronic diseases associated with aging. I evaluate the ethical dimensions of XPRIZE using Emanuel, Wendler, and Grady’s ethical framework for clinical research. Despite XPRIZE’s emphasis on methodological flexibility and participant autonomy, I identify challenges in ethical oversight, participant safety, benefit assessment, and equitable access to resulting innovations. I will discuss the trade-offs between decentralized governance and the autonomy of competing teams, as well as the necessity of robust ethical practices—highlighting the importance of independent review, transparent data handling, and consideration of long-term societal implications. By addressing these ethical challenges, XPRIZE Healthspan has the potential to establish a transformative paradigm in health and aging research. This talk is presented by a bioethicist and is informed by two years of analysis of the XPRIZE Healthspan initiative.

Keywords: ethical oversight, longevity biotechnology, ethics of clinical trials