Anti-Aging Enthusiast Bryan Johnson Plans to Launch Foodome Sequencing

Just as genome sequencing maps an organism’s genetic makeup, Bryan Johnson—the investor and founder of the Don’t Die movement—wants to launch “foodome” sequencing.

“We’re going to sequence the U.S. ‘foodome,’ meaning we’ll test 20% of the foods that make up 80% of the American diet—essentially the everyday staples,” Johnson said Thursday at SXSW in Austin.

Johnson, the former CEO of brain-monitoring device company Kernel, founder of OS Fund, and former CEO of e-commerce firm Braintree, is now fully dedicated to extending his lifespan and spreading that message to others.

Blood Transfusions and Shock Therapy in His Quest for Health

His approach has included extreme measures, such as receiving blood transfusions from his 17-year-old son and undergoing shock therapy to improve nighttime erections, which he claims are linked to overall health.

While some of his longevity advice is predictable—better sleep, social connections, regular exercise, and a healthy diet—he argues that truly eating healthy is more challenging than it seems.

“I want to be real with you. Buying clean food is incredibly difficult,” he said, pointing out that even organic grocery store products may contain toxins from processing methods.

His goal is to test as many foods as possible and create a public database where people can fund testing of specific foods and brands for contaminants like heavy metals and microplastics. He hopes this initiative will push brands toward safer food practices.

Breathwork, Balance, and a Crowd Eager to Engage

However, Johnson’s idea received enthusiastic applause from the packed SXSW audience, who eagerly joined him in breathing exercises, movement prompts, and a longevity experiment that involved balancing on one foot with eyes closed. (I managed 30 seconds—no big deal.)

Despite his growing following, Johnson has also faced online criticism for his unconventional belief that AI advancements could make this generation the first that doesn’t have to die.

“We are giving birth to super intelligence. It’s the most significant development happening in the world right now,” Johnson said, emphasizing that no current ideology fully addresses AI’s impact and that human survival is no longer guaranteed in this new era.

He argued that humanity should shift its priorities away from profit at any cost and toward a singular goal: “Don’t Die.”

Johnson Advocates AI as a Tool to Preserve Human Life and Combat Aging

Rather than debating AI’s alignment with human values, Johnson suggests aligning AI with the mission of preserving human life. He envisions harnessing AI to tap into millions of “human-level geniuses” to track progress and tackle aging’s greatest challenges.

It’s a bold proposition, but one that has drawn skepticism from those who argue that mortality is an essential part of being human.

Dr. Andrew Steele, a longevity researcher, acknowledges that healthy habits like diet and exercise can extend life but maintains that genetics—not extreme interventions—plays a more significant role in determining lifespan.

Still, Johnson remains committed to promoting his “Blueprint Protocol,” a lifestyle regimen he claims has produced the world’s best biomarkers. He has also ventured into selling supplements and foods, including his own brand of olive oil, ironically—or fittingly—named Snake Oil.

Read the original article on: TechCrunch

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