Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin were caught on a hot mic during a military parade in Beijing discussing organ transplants and the possibility of human “immortality.” The private exchange, unintentionally broadcast during the event, included references to living to 150 years and speculation about scientific breakthroughs that could defeat aging.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was also present during the discussion. The conversation appeared casual but raised questions about the priorities and worldview of the authoritarian leaders involved. Russian state media later confirmed the remarks, framing them as speculative and informal.
A U.S. medical expert quickly responded. Dr. James Markmann, chief of transplant surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital, told Fox News there is no scientific evidence to support the idea that organ transplants can lead to immortality or significantly extend human life. He noted that while transplant science is advancing, the discussion ignores the real ethical and practical concerns surrounding organ availability and access to care.
The conversation comes amid ongoing accusations that China’s government has engaged in forced organ harvesting, particularly from political prisoners and religious minorities. Human rights groups and lawmakers have repeatedly cited credible reports that the Chinese Communist Party has used prisoners of conscience—including Uyghur Muslims and members of Falun Gong—as involuntary organ donors.
