The Slow Newscast The immortality bros: the new frontiers of health
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Sep 9, 2025 In a city in Honduras, a start-up is selling experimental gene therapies for $25,000 a dose, sparking discussions on the future of healthcare. The intriguing mix of radical health treatments and libertarian ideals is making its way to the U.S. The conversation dives into Jim O'Neill's vision for patient empowerment and controversial reforms to the FDA. Listeners hear about thrilling seasteading escapades and legal battles, alongside the ethical dilemmas surrounding unproven longevity treatments and expanding right-to-try laws in Montana.
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Biohacking Startup Sold Gene Therapy
- MiniCircle, founded by biohackers, sold a follistatin gene therapy for $25,000 in Prospera.
- The company marketed the treatment as a longevity therapy despite limited peer-reviewed evidence.
Experts Doubt MiniCircle Data And Safety
- Independent scientists called MiniCircle's self-published paper unreliable and its charts largely meaningless.
- Experts warned the follistatin therapy could pose serious risks including cancer-causing mutations.
Co-Founder Leaves Over Safety Concerns
- Tristan Roberts, a MiniCircle co-founder, quit in 2023 citing rushed commercialization and lack of transparency.
- He warned Clotho gene therapy poses overexpression risks and needs careful dosing and safety study.