Clone corps: california firm secretly pursues human body replication
A shadowy California company, R3 Bio, is quietly building a roadmap to create empty, cloned human bodies – a prospect that immediately conjures images of dystopian fiction, not scientific reality.
The disturbing truth behind ‘replacement body total’
R3 Bio, based in Richmond, has secured substantial investment despite operating under a carefully constructed façade. Officially, the company’s focus is on generating primate organ ‘sacs’ as a replacement for animal models in pharmaceutical testing – a claim that MIT Technology Review has thoroughly debunked.
Internal documents, dating back to 2023, reveal a far more audacious goal: ‘Replacement Body Total’ – the systematic creation of biologically identical bodies devoid of brain tissue, intended as a repository for compatible organs. This isn’t mere speculation; individuals like Tim Draper, Immortal Dragons, and LongGame Ventures have injected considerable capital into the venture.
During a presentation at Abundance Longevity in Boston, founder John Schloendorn openly discussed animal research and the potential for using clones as biological backups. His team, however, attempted to downplay the discussions, citing the company’s right to explore ‘hypothetical future possibilities’ – a transparently evasive response that underscored the magnitude of their ambitions.
The reality, according to current data, is considerably less dramatic. R3 Bio has, to date, only managed to clone rodents. There’s no evidence of functional organ ‘sacs’ or a human clone. The scientific community largely dismisses Schloendorn’s vision as largely theoretical, highlighting the immense technical hurdles and ethical concerns surrounding such a project. The distance between cloning a mouse and a primate – let alone a human – is a chasm of complexity, compounded by a regulatory landscape that likely prohibits such endeavors.
The stakes are escalating. The accelerating investment in longevity technologies, fueled by figures like Draper, reflects a disturbing trend: a blurring of the lines between legitimate scientific research and science fiction. The industry is sprinting towards radical life extension, seemingly unconcerned with the potential ramifications.
Despite the lack of tangible progress – no fully functional clones have been produced – the financial commitment speaks volumes. It underscores a deep-seated belief, bordering on obsession, within a sector grappling with a desperate race to conquer mortality. And, frankly, it's a chilling testament to humanity’s persistent desire to cheat death, regardless of the ethical compromises it may entail.