R3 Bio eyes brainless clones for longevity

R3 Bio's "bodyoid" concept represents a radical shift in longevity research, moving from cellular repair to full-system replacement that treats the human body as a biological commodity. The technology utilizes iPS cells and genetic engineering to produce nonsentient human bodyoids that lack a neocortex but maintain brainstem function. Backed by high-profile longevity investors including billionaire Tim Draper and Singapore’s Immortal Dragons fund, the startup's ties with ARPA-H suggest a strategic frontier for radical tissue repair. However, the project faces immense ethical backlash and massive hurdles in scientific feasibility, particularly regarding the reconnection of severed spinal cords.