Jeffrey Epstein reportedly paid for genetic testing to explore extended life, new documents show, and the program was titled the ‘Venus Project’.
Conspiracy theories about Jeffrey Epstein being alive, and faking his death began to do the rounds after the release of the final episode of the files. The Justice Department on Friday released documents related to the late convicted child sex offender. As documents documented Epstein’s attempts at genetic testing to extend life, conspiracy theories gained more steam. Epstein’s program was called the Venus Project.
A document included in the U.S. Department of Justice’s release of Jeffrey Epstein files, taken Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, shows an April 2012 international driving permit for Epstein. (AP)A document accessible at the DOJ library notes how much Epstein will have to pay for sequencing and other tests. The total amount is listed as $193,400.00. In the document, the details of the Venus project are also described.
The communication reads:
“Jeffrey and I briefly discussed a genomic study that I’m dubbing the Venus Project (what would he know). I could do it for him but it would be much more helpful to have some good bioinformatics infrastructure in place. This infrastructure could be used for the Venus project, YPO analysis, and other projects. Total cost would be $60,00. Hardware: $100,000 Genomic software: $60,000/year (It costs $30,000/year for 2 systems) The software component only needs to be paid for I year because I’m sure I can get other funding to cover it after the first year of data release using these resources. So I’m happy to discuss this item further if he’s interested in supporting it and for $1000/person — and he mentions 200 participants in this project — I can provide this “Venus” study.
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News of the Venus project sparked a backlash online. “The newly released Epstein files reveal that the convicted sex offender paid a Harvard-affiliated doctor to sequence his genome and explore using CRISPR gene editing in his own stem cells to extend his longevity,” one person wrote. Another added, “This is some crazy thing that just came out… Newly released Epstein documents show he paid a Harvard doctor to study his genetic material: – clone himself, create a new breed, pursue methods to extend his life. It was called ‘The Venus Project’.”
Another asked “What Genomics “Venus Project” Epstein wanted to accomplish with 200 participants?”. Despite conspiracy theories about Epstein’s survival, fueled only by news of the Venus Project, the disgraced financier died in August 2019 from a self-inflicted wound in his jail cell, according to authorities.
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However, scientist Epstein spoke in emails, giving a statement about the nature of the work.
What the scientist who worked with Epstein saidJoseph Thakuriya, the researcher named in the Epstein files, spoke to CNN about his work.
“Mr. Epstein was enrolled in the Personal Genome Project, which would study his genetic predisposition to various health conditions. At one point, a $2,000 check was paid to cover DNA sequencing. I was a physician-researcher and he [Epstein] was a research subject. We also had initial discussions about his potential funding research, but it never materialized. I feel terrible for what his victims went through and I regret not knowing more about his background and the extent of his crimes at the time,” the statement said.
Using CRISPR to ‘introduce mutations into cultures believed to increase longevity’ was part of Epstein’s proposal to edit stem cells, which was novel at the time.
Subhrajit has covered entertainment, US and India news in his time as a digital journalist, working on trending and long-form immersive content. When off work, he’s usually scrolling through Doom, watching something or debating online.Read more
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