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#Biology #Aging
TechCrunch
TechCrunch
1w ago 28 views

Can steroids combat population collapse? The Enhanced Games wants to find out.

The Enhanced Games, launching in May 2026, will allow performance-enhancing drugs in sports to address aging populations and declining birth rates. This matters as it proposes a controversial solution to demographic challenges faced by many economies.
Can steroids combat population collapse? The Enhanced Games wants to find out.
A What happened
The Enhanced Games, scheduled to launch in May 2026, is a new sporting competition that will permit the use of performance-enhancing drugs, aiming to address the challenges posed by aging populations and declining birth rates. Co-founder Aron D’Souza envisions the Games as a marketing platform for longevity products, targeting a market he believes could be worth trillions. With significant financial backing from investors like Peter Thiel, the Games will offer $1 million bounties for breaking world records, attracting former Olympic athletes to participate. D’Souza argues that enhancing human capabilities is essential in a world where birth rates are falling and economies face potential collapse. However, the initiative raises ethical questions about access to enhancement technologies, potentially leading to a divide between the wealthy and the rest of the population.

Key insights

  • 1

    Performance-enhancing drugs

    The Enhanced Games will allow steroids and other enhancements in sports.

  • 2

    Longevity market potential

    D’Souza believes the longevity industry could be worth trillions.

  • 3

    Demographic challenges

    Aging populations and low birth rates threaten economic stability.

  • 4

    Ethical concerns

    Access to enhancement technologies may widen the wealth gap.

Takeaways

The Enhanced Games represent a bold and controversial approach to addressing demographic challenges through human enhancement, raising significant ethical and societal questions about the future of sports and health.