Topic: Stem cell therapy and longevity.
Ruth McKernan: I don't think there is really a lot of evidence yet in people that we can increase the life span by affecting stem cells. Actually, it's important to realize that, as we age, the number of functional stem cells we have declines. Who knows, it may be that some of the disorders that we have in the aging population are a consequence of running out of stem cells and being unable to replenish our own tissues and organs. That may well be true if the brain. There is some evidence that that's also true in other organs.
So I think it may be the loss of stem cells that is part of the aging population. It's a very good question. If we could restore stem cells, particularly in some of those critical organs, would we increase life span? We would even want to? I think it's a philosophical as well as a scientific question. We don't have the answer to that yet.
Conducted on: July 31, 2009
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Diane Waters on August 31, 2009, 3:51 PM
Could life span be increased? I think the question has already been answered, in a way, by scientists who believe that stem cells can successfully treat serious diseases. My question is this: what might the quality of life be? We have no idea of the possible long term effects of stem cell treatment. But. we do have hope and I think we should move forward, full speed, to start trials in humans.
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