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Stem Cell Brain Implants Could 'Slow Aging and Extend Life,' Study Shows (theguardian.com)
An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Guardian: Scientists have slowed down the aging process by implanting stem cells into the brains of animals, raising hopes for new strategies to combat age-related diseases and extend the human lifespan. Implants of stem cells that make fresh neurons in the brain were found to put the brakes on aging in older mice, keeping them more physically and mentally fit for months, and extending their lives by 10-15% compared to untreated animals. The work, described as a tour de force and a breakthrough by one leading expert, suggests that aging across the body is controlled by stem cells that are found in the hypothalamus region of the brain in youth, but which steadily die off until they are almost completely absent in middle age. Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York hope to launch clinical trials of the procedure soon, but must first produce supplies of human neural stem cells in the lab which can be implanted into volunteers. The study has been published in the journal Nature.
It is still a risky implant.
One error implant, it could become something pressing on the brain like a tumor, killing the host. On the other hand, it could potentially recover neurons from paralyzed victims and improve elder brain function.
They better conduct more research before doing it on humans. Also they should have life/death agreement for the volunteers as it is still very risky.
By the time this can be applied to the general population, such issues will be resolved.
Anons need not reply. Questions end with a question mark.
This isn't just life extension it is quality of life extension. And yes it is a great idea. Might even reduce costs by increasing the odds that people will get hit by a truck before they need expensive care.
Someone had to do it.
I imagine eventually these will be clones of your own stem cells. Also ISTR studies saying stem cells can migrate from the blood stream to brain, so maybe it would evolve into an injection into an artery feeding the brain.
Assuming it works at all, and it isn't some X-files plot to turn us into alien chimeras.
Someone had to do it.
Now imagine new edition of The Protocols of the Elders of Zion crap, this time challenging rich of the world of injecting unborn babies blood into their brains to extend their geriatric rule over the world....
Don't get me wrong, I'm mostly transhumanist myself, but I shudder to think what religious fanatics, right-wing prolifers and other luddites will make out of such developments in their propaganda.