{
  "id": 15922376,
  "title": "They want your blood",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/they-want-your-blood",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-21T17:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Verge",
    "slug": "the-verge",
    "url": "https://www.theverge.com/column/1015563/blood-death-clock-longevity-apps-health-tech"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "I went in for my 12th blood donation in six weeks on an overcast Saturday morning. It was now my 24th donation this year. To prepare, I made sure to schedule the blood draw early in the day, download the necessary papers beforehand, avoid any intense workouts for 24 hours prior, and drink a glass of water to ensure my veins were more accessible for the phlebotomist. Of those 12 vials, 8 were ordered by my doctor to keep track of ongoing treatment for metabolic issues, and the other four were to feed an experimental digital twin.\n\nIn addition to these blood tests, I was also offered various optional panels based on my medical history. These included tests for thyroid function, heart and artery health, and liver function. The app, Death Clock, estimated that my biological age is 97 years old, and I'd live to be 114 if I followed its recommendations. These recommendations ranged from purchasing a smart scale and blood pressure monitor to getting a professional VO2 max evaluation, colonoscopy, and even APOE testing for Alzheimer's risk.\n\nThe founder of Death Clock, Brent Franson, says that knowing one's health data can help people understand their health better and make necessary changes. However, he also acknowledges that socioeconomic status is the greatest predictor of longevity, and blood tests cannot predict one's income bracket. The founder's approach to health is to shake people out of denial about death and make them take their health seriously.",
  "summary": "This is Optimizer, a weekly newsletter sent from Verge senior reviewer Victoria Song that dissects and discusses the latest gizmos and potions that swear they're going to change your life. Opt in for Optimizer here. It's an overcast Saturday morning when I give my 12th vial of blood for testing in six weeks. It's my […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}