In a revelation that underscores Jeffrey Epstein’s longstanding obsession with transcending human limitations, newly disclosed emails show that the disgraced financier paid for advanced genetic testing as part of an apparent effort to explore ways to extend human life.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The documents, part of a trove released by the Justice Department, detail Epstein’s interactions with a prominent geneticist in 2014, years after his initial conviction on sex-related charges. On February 6, 2026, these emails came to light, painting a picture of Epstein’s forays into regenerative medicine and gene editing, fields that promised to repair aging bodies and potentially defy mortality.
Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges, had long been fascinated by the fringes of science. His interests extended beyond mere curiosity; he sought to apply emerging technologies to his own biology. The emails reveal a $2,000 payment to Dr. Joseph Thakuria, then a senior physician at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in Boston and affiliated with Harvard Medical School’s genomic research initiatives. This initial investment covered sequencing parts of Epstein’s genome and cells, laying the groundwork for what Thakuria described as “personalized longevity studies.”
The correspondence begins with a February 2014 proposal from Thakuria, soliciting funding for a private genomic project. He outlined options tailored to Epstein, including investigations into genetic factors that could influence lifespan. By June of that year, Thakuria sent a detailed invoice, which Epstein’s staff promptly paid with a check. The services included exome sequencing—a technique that maps the protein-coding regions of DNA—and analysis of fibroblasts, versatile cells in connective tissue that have become central to anti-aging research.
Fibroblasts, often harvested from skin, can be reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which hold the potential to regenerate tissues. Scientists have explored their use in reversing cellular aging, a process that involves resetting biological clocks at the molecular level. Epstein’s payment for fibroblast sequencing suggests he was intrigued by this possibility, aligning with broader trends in biotechnology where researchers aim to combat age-related decline.
Epstein’s Payments for Novel Genetic Testing in Apparent Effort to Extend Life, Emails Show
Delving deeper into the invoice, Thakuria proposed using CRISPR gene-editing technology—then a groundbreaking tool—to introduce mutations into Epstein’s stem cells that were “believed to increase longevity.” CRISPR, which allows precise alterations to DNA, had only recently been adapted for human cells, making this an audacious and experimental proposition. Thakuria emphasized exclusivity: “I’m only offering this to Jeffrey. Because of all the labor involved, there’s simply not enough bandwidth to offer this to more than a handful of people right now.”
The full scope of the proposed work was ambitious and costly. Options ranged from creating new stem cells for $10,000 to comprehensive longevity studies involving other participants. Sequencing Epstein’s entire genome was priced at $11,400, with an additional $9,600 if including his parents’ DNA—a detail that hints at Epstein’s interest in hereditary factors. The grand total for the outlined projects reached $193,400, though records do not indicate further payments beyond the initial $2,000.
Emails continued into 2015, with Epstein’s assistants pressing for results. At one point, Epstein expressed frustration over delays, threatening to escalate the matter to Thakuria’s superiors. This impatience underscores Epstein’s pattern of leveraging his wealth to demand expedited access to elite scientific circles.
Thakuria, in a statement responding to inquiries about the emails, clarified that Epstein was enrolled in the Harvard Personal Genome Project (PGP), a public database of volunteer genetic data aimed at advancing research on traits and diseases. “Mr. Epstein was enrolled in the Personal Genome Project, which would study his genetic predisposition to various health conditions,” Thakuria said. He described Epstein as a “research subject” and noted that discussions about broader funding never materialized. Thakuria expressed regret upon learning the full extent of Epstein’s crimes, stating, “I feel terrible about what his victims went through, and I regret at that time not knowing more about his background.”
Harvard representatives confirmed that MGH is an affiliate but emphasized Thakuria was not directly employed by the university or its Wyss Institute, which oversees the PGP. MGH stated it has no records of approving the studies mentioned in the emails. Thakuria departed the hospital in 2022.
The introduction between Epstein and Thakuria reportedly came via George Church, a renowned Harvard geneticist who pioneered CRISPR applications. Church, who has not been accused of wrongdoing, had previously associated with Epstein, receiving donations for his lab and emailing frequently. In 2019, Church apologized for his involvement, attributing it to “nerd tunnel vision” in overlooking Epstein’s criminal history.
The Broader Context of Epstein’s Scientific Pursuits
Epstein’s engagement with genetic testing fits into a larger tapestry of his involvement in transhumanism—a movement that advocates using technology to enhance human capabilities, including overcoming aging and death. Through his now-defunct foundation, Epstein donated to organizations like the World Transhumanist Association (now Humanity+), which promotes “evidence-based science to expand human capabilities” and reverse biological decline.
Reports from earlier investigations reveal Epstein’s more outlandish ambitions. He confided in scientists about seeding the human race with his DNA by impregnating women at his New Mexico ranch, a scheme rooted in eugenics—a discredited pseudoscience favoring selective breeding for “superior” traits. While no evidence suggests this plan advanced, it highlights Epstein’s blend of hubris and pseudoscientific zeal.
Epstein’s financial clout opened doors in academia. He donated millions to institutions like Harvard and MIT, ingratiating himself with leading minds in fields like artificial intelligence, cryonics, and genomics. Critics argue this access allowed him to pursue fringe interests under the guise of philanthropy, potentially compromising ethical boundaries.
The genetic tests he funded in 2014 occurred amid rapid advancements in biotechnology. That year, CRISPR was gaining traction as a tool for editing genes with unprecedented precision. Researchers were beginning to explore its potential for treating genetic disorders, but applications to longevity remained speculative. Today, companies like Calico (backed by Alphabet) and Unity Biotechnology are investing billions in anti-aging therapies, targeting cellular senescence—the process where cells lose function over time.
Fibroblast research, in particular, has progressed. Scientists have used these cells to create iPSCs, which can differentiate into any cell type, offering hope for regenerative treatments in conditions like Parkinson’s disease or heart failure. However, applying this to extend healthy lifespan—known as “health span”—remains experimental. Experts like Dr. Nir Barzilai, director of the Institute for Aging Research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, caution that while gene editing holds promise, ethical concerns abound, especially when pursued privately by individuals like Epstein.
Ethical Questions and Ongoing Scrutiny
The release of these emails has reignited debates about accountability in scientific funding. How did a convicted sex offender gain access to sensitive genetic research? Institutions have since tightened donor vetting, but gaps persist. Harvard, for instance, returned unspent Epstein donations after his 2019 arrest, but the PGP’s open-data model raises privacy issues for participants.
Thakuria’s proposal included a cryptic element: a $160,000 allocation for “The Venus Project,” described as a genomic study of 200 participants. Thakuria later clarified it as Epstein’s preliminary idea on the genetics of facial features, which never advanced. Such opacity fuels speculation about Epstein’s motives, echoing his history of secretive ventures.
Epstein’s interest in longevity may stem from personal fears of mortality, amplified by his legal troubles. After his 2008 plea deal in Florida, where he served 13 months for soliciting prostitution from a minor, he intensified scientific engagements. By 2014, with federal investigations looming, his focus on life extension could reflect a desperate bid for control.
The emails also touch on broader societal implications. As gene editing becomes more accessible, who decides its use? Regenerative medicine could exacerbate inequalities if reserved for the wealthy. Bioethicists like Dr. Arthur Caplan of NYU Langone Health warn that without regulation, such technologies risk being exploited for enhancement rather than therapy.
Implications for Future Research
Despite the controversy, the science Epstein dabbled in continues to evolve. Recent studies, such as those published in Nature Aging, show promise in using CRISPR to edit genes associated with longevity in model organisms like mice. Human trials for age-related conditions are underway, but extending life beyond current limits—around 120 years—remains elusive.
Epstein’s case serves as a cautionary tale. His wealth bought influence, but it couldn’t buy redemption. Victims’ advocates, like those from the Epstein Victims’ Compensation Program, which disbursed over $150 million, emphasize that these revelations should not overshadow the human cost of his crimes.
As investigations into Epstein’s network persist, including scrutiny of associates like Ghislaine Maxwell, convicted in 2021 for sex trafficking, the genetic emails add another layer to his enigmatic legacy. They reveal a man who, even in disgrace, sought to manipulate the very code of life.
This article is based on reports from CNN, The New York Times, and other media outlets.
