Four ways biotechnology will transform how – and how long – we live

3 minute read 30 Aug 2023
By EY Global

Multidisciplinary professional services organization

3 minute read 30 Aug 2023

EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ 2023 speaker, Dr. Tiffany Vora discusses how this era of innovation is not just about living longer, but also living well.

In brief
  • Advances in longevity demand that we start thinking about a 70-, 80- or even 90-year career as not only achievable, but a positive for humans to flourish. 
  • The future of medicine can be organized into three buckets: diagnosis, therapy and prevention. All three are being impacted by exponential technologies. 
  • Technologies like robotics, virtual and augmented reality, and quantum computing are revolutionizing today's health care, particularly in preventive care.

In June 2023, the world’s leading entrepreneurs gathered in Monaco for EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™, the ultimate global competition for entrepreneurs. Thought leaders from EY Tech University and the EY Luminary Network led interactive “Future of” sessions to discuss critical business challenges and today’s hot-button issues that will greatly impact our collective future.

Dr. Tiffany Vora, Non-resident Fellow of the GeoTech Center of the Atlantic Council and Faculty, spoke on the future of health and longevity and how biological technology is bringing us into a radically different future. Below are key takeaways from Dr. Vora’s session.

1. What’s possible if private enterprise drives the revolution of public health? 

“What longevity science is focused on are the causes of aging — changes on the DNA level," Dr. Vora explains. "For example, inflammation is one of these things that not only goes up during aging, but we now see it actually drives aging." Get her insights on the paradox of the current funding model behind research into aging.

2. How would you impact the world if you could live forever?

“In the near future, you could be alive at the same time as your great-great-great-great-great-grandchildren,” she says. “We are actually going to be able to be held accountable by future generations.”

Watch Dr. Vora discuss the transitional era we’re living through – and raise important questions about the future of work.

3. What should you stop doing to start living?

“What is the single most important thing you should do in order to take advantage of this longevity revolution? The answer is: ‘Don't die.’ ” In this insight, Dr. Vora explains why that irony is so vitally important.

4. What if purpose is the true fountain of youth?

“Remember what a catalyst is to a scientist like me. A catalyst is something that makes change happen, but is itself not used up. If you are going to have a 100-year career, you have to keep yourself mentally and physically excited to be alive, and much of that excitement stems from making an impact on the world.”

  • Open disclaimer#Close disclaimer

    The views of third parties set out in this publication are not necessarily the views of the global EY organization or its member firms. Moreover, they should be seen in the context of the time they were made.

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Summary

Digital biology will transform how we live — and how long we live — as individuals, businesses and societies. Learn how developments in biotech across health and wellness, agriculture, the environment, and other industries will impact your organization.

About this article

By EY Global

Multidisciplinary professional services organization