HoldsUp

Peter Diamandis

XPRIZE

Peter Diamandis is an entrepreneur and the founder of XPRIZE, a non-profit organization that designs and conducts competitions to incentivize technological development. His published research includes work on using artificial intelligence to develop deep markers of psychological and subjective age.

29 claims checked on air: 7 context 1 contradicted 2 overstated 13 supported 6 unverified

What they said on air - overstated

0:48:33overstatedmoderatePeter Diamandis and Tony Robbins on strategies that promote

Bowhead whales can live up to 200 years and Greenland sharks can live over 500 years.

"you know, the bowhead whale lives 200 years old, you know, the Greenland shark can live 500-plus years old." (said at 0:48:33)

The speaker bundles two longevity claims. The claim that bowhead whales can live approximately 200 years is supported; genomic and biochemical studies establish that bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) have an estimated maximum lifespan exceeding 200 years, making them the longest-lived mammal. However, the claim that Greenland sharks live '500-plus years' is overstated. Landmark radiocarbon dating of Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus) eye lenses estimated the lifespan of the largest individual at 392 ± 120 years (a 95.4% probability range of roughly 272 to 512 years). While 512 years represents the extreme upper statistical bound of the confidence interval, the mean estimate is approximately 390 years, not a definitive 500+ years.

1:01:45overstatedmoderatePeter Diamandis and Tony Robbins on strategies that promote

CRISPR gene editing injected into the back of the eye has been used to treat a specific form of congenital blindness.

"We've seen CRISPR uh being used with an injection in the back of the eye uh to cure a specific form of congenital blindness." (said at 1:01:45)

In vivo CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing has indeed been delivered via subretinal injection (into the back of the eye) in clinical trials to treat a specific form of congenital blindness: CEP290-associated inherited retinal degeneration (Leber congenital amaurosis type 10). In the phase 1-2 BRILLIANCE trial (n=14), subretinal injection of EDIT-101 led to meaningful improvements in visual acuity, photoreceptor sensitivity, or mobility in 64% of participants without serious treatment-related adverse events. However, describing the therapy as having been used to 'cure' congenital blindness overstates the outcome: treatment resulted in partial improvements in visual function in a subset of patients rather than a complete restoration or cure of blindness.

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