Stem cells promise eternal youth for 'boomers, seniors
June 09 2008 / by futuretalk / In association with Future Blogger.net
Category: Health & Medicine Year: General Rating: 11 Hot
By Dick Pelletier
Over the next 12 years, biotech and stem cell research could
enable doctors to replace aging skin, bone, and organs on demand,
thus restoring many ‘boomers and seniors alive today to a healthy,
more youthful state. 
Already successful in replacing damaged heart tissue, stem cells might also tip the scales in the war against cancer. Scientists recently discovered that these proliferating wonders are the source of most cancers. At the heart of every tumor lie a handful of aberrant stem cells that feed malignant tissues.
Whitehead Institute’s Robert Weinberg believes this explains why tumors often reappear after chemotherapy and radiation seemingly destroyed them. It also suggests new strategy for developing anti-cancer drugs: focus more on attacking cancer stem cells and not, as at present, killing just any cells to shrink tumors.
On another front, Indiana University’s Dr. Michael Murphy uses stem cells to treat a debilitating cardiovascular condition called peripheral arterial disease, which causes poor blood circulation in the legs, resulting in sores, ulcers; even amputations.
He and his colleagues use adult stem cells to create healthy cells in the lining of blood vessels. They extract cells from bone marrow, then process and inject them into patients’ legs. Every patient in the tests experienced positive benefits. (cont.)
