The Reuters news agency has removed a video featuring an exchange between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussing organ transplants and the possibility of humans living up to 150 years.
The video was taken down after Chinese state media, China Central Television (CCTV), withdrew legal permission to use the footage and demanded its removal.
The exchange between Putin and Xi was captured live on Wednesday as they walked together in Beijing alongside North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
According to reports, Putin’s interpreter said, “biotechnology is continuously developing. Human organs can be continuously transplanted.
The longer you live, the younger you become, and [you can] even achieve immortality.” Xi responded, “some predict that in this century humans may live to 150 years old.”
The footage was edited by Reuters into a four-minute video and distributed to over 1,000 global media clients.
However, CCTV’s legal team objected to the “editorial treatment” of the material, stating it resulted in a “clear misrepresentation of the facts and statements contained within the licensed feed.”
Although the letter didn’t specify what CCTV objected to, Reuters removed the video and issued a “kill” order to its clients.
Reuters denied any wrongdoing, stating, “we have carefully reviewed the published footage, and we have found no reason to believe Reuters’ longstanding commitment to accurate, unbiased journalism has been compromised.” The news agency stands by the accuracy of what was published.
This incident highlights the complexities of international media collaborations and the importance of adhering to licensing agreements.
The unusually candid exchange between the two world leaders was widely shared by broadcasters and on social media globally before its removal.
The conversation between Putin and Xi highlights the growing interest in longevity research and biotechnology advancements. Organ transplantation has become a preferred treatment for life-limiting organ damage, with over 144,000 transplants performed in 2021.
Lab-grown organs, created using 3D bioprinting, offer a promising solution to the global organ transplant shortage, which results in over 17 daily deaths. This technology could eliminate donation issues and ensure personalized, rejection-free transplants.
The relationship between Putin and Xi is significant, with both leaders strengthening ties since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. They’ve met about 40 times, including inking a “no limits” strategic partnership.
Their partnership is seen as a stabilising force in chaotic times, but some experts believe the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which they founded, has significant security differences between its members.
- Strategic Partnership: Putin and Xi have deepened ties, portraying their relationship as a stabilising force in global politics.
- SCO Summit: The two leaders have used the SCO summit to strengthen their partnership and discuss regional security issues.
- Counterpoint to Western Influence: The SCO was founded as a counterpoint to Western might, with Putin and Xi emphasising its role in promoting multipolarity.
The discussion on longevity and organ transplants reflects the evolving nature of biotechnology and its potential applications in medicine. As research continues to advance, we can expect to see significant breakthroughs in the field.
