Kara Swisher Wants to Live Forever
"What I'm interested in is increasing longevity for everybody. Healthy longevity, not just longevity for longevity's sake."
— Kara Swisher
The CNN Original Series "Kara Swisher Wants to Live Forever" explores life extension technologies. The third episode, airing Saturday at 9 p.m. ET, focuses on medical advancements against chronic disease.
The Chronic Disease Crisis
Approximately 6 in 10 young adults in the US report having at least one chronic condition — a figure that rises to 9 in 10 among older adults, according to a 2025 study.
Chronic diseases such as:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Cancer
...are major causes of mortality and disability, especially in later life.
What Experts Say
"Aging is not a disease, but it makes us more vulnerable to diseases."
— Dr. Steven Austad, scientific director, American Federation for Aging Research
Dr. Nir Barzilai, president of the Academy for Health and Lifespan Research, adds that aging can trigger genetic predispositions to conditions like dementia.
Promising Medical Technologies
CRISPR Gene Editing
May prevent Alzheimer's by altering DNA. Dr. Jennifer Doudna, co-developer of CRISPR, envisions a future where:
"You can imagine people living the same lifespan, but healthier."
mRNA Vaccines
Potential applications include treating HIV, diabetes, and cancer. An early trial found that seven of eight pancreatic cancer patients who showed an immune response to an mRNA vaccine survived up to six years — compared to a typical 13% survival rate.
Prevention: A Critical Gap
"This country is a sick care industry… we should be doing all manner of preventative stuff."
— Kara Swisher
Experts recommend:
- Exercise
- Diet
- Sleep
- Social connectivity
Both CRISPR and mRNA vaccines remain at early stages and require further testing.