The modification that I think would be the most popular enhancement by 2030 focuses on one section of SENS (Strategies for Engineered Negligible Senescence) research currently being explored by biomedical gerontologist Aubrey de Grey. His foundation focuses on removing, restoring, substituting, and reducing cellular and molecular damaged that impacts human tissues as we age so that humans can potentially live for centuries (“Reimagined Research”). The organization recognizes seven different areas where this research can help humans, but I want to focus on one specific biotechnology that can improve the brain. AmyloSENS is a rejuvenation biotechnology that deals with removing extracellular aggregates from various parts of the body. The most common type of malformed protein is beta-amyloid which forms plaque that …show more content…
The article proposes these methods for people suffering with diseases such as Alzheimer’s, but I think this could be used for anyone that wants to evade death from an age related problem.
A benefit to this modification would be that a person would be able to avoid age-related causes of death dealing with this brain tissue. If everyone had access to this rejuvenating procedure, we could prolong our lives while also retaining our cognitive functions such as memory, social, and motor skills. This could change what humans today perceive to be the average life span. If we could keep our mental functioning intact, we could lead fulfilling lives 10 times longer than ever thought possible. Essentially we would be coming one step closer to
In the United States there are approximately 5.4 million people living with Alzheimer’s. Every sixty-nine seconds a person is diagnosed. This is an ongoing issue, and unless something is done, sixteen million people will be affected by 2050 (Latest).
Lawrence, J., (2015) Potential dementia treatment target identified using stem cell research. The Pharmaceutical Journal. 2/1/2015. Retrieved 13/5/2015 from
I recognize that modern medical technology has made possible the artificial prolongation of my life beyond natural limits. I do not wish to artificially prolong the process of my dying if continued health care will not improve my prognosis for recovery and my death is likely to occur within several months, or if I require life support as the result of an irreversible condition, even if that life support might prolong my life for a sustained period. Therefore, I do not want efforts
Alzheimer’s disease affects the lives of over 5 million Americans today. The cost that it has placed on the U.S is a staggering $203 million dollars. Researchers have reported that those numbers are expected to triple by 2050. However draining that this disease may seem, the real question is whether there is a solution. To this day there is still no cure to stop or even slow down th progression of the brain disease but there are treatments that help cover the symptoms. While the majority of the people who suffer from Alzheimer is generally over the age of 65, about 200,000, of the estimated 5 million, are in the age range of 30-40.
Some patients may benefit from interventions to cause death, however, for death to be beneficial, the condition of being dead must be superior to the condition of remaining alive.
It is a disease that we haven’t cured yet but instead have only come up and still coming up with treatment strategies to alleviate its symptoms. AD was first described in 1906 by a German psychiatrist by the name of Alois Alzheimer whilst he was performing a histophathologic study of his patient’s brain, a patient who had been suffering from dementia. His patient’s brain’s autopsy brought to light the presence of two types of lesions, which are senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. He saw a visible difference in the brain tissue for it was severely damaged by these lesions. Since then, our knowledge of AD’s cellular and molecular alterations has increased and we have come up with various hypotheses for AD that may soon help in developing effective preventative and therapeutic strategies. One of the most prevailing hypotheses that have already leaded to a number of therapeutic approaches is the amyloid cascade hypothesis. Hence, the following essay will explore the pathology of the amyloid cascade hypothesis and the evidence for and against it. It will also touch upon current progress in clinical trials that test the
These neurological diseases often affect older adults and are depicted by progressive deterioration of nerve cells, eventually leading to cell death. When my aunt was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, my uncle visited multiple doctors trying to seek out a cure. However, the only suggestions the doctors could give is medication and therapy. Medication and therapy wouldn’t reverse or stop the damage that was happening; it would only slow it down. I want to find a solution to this. I want to make a global impact that will benefit those whom suffer from such diseases. With my passionate desire to learn and my interest in the biomedical field - specifically nano-medicine and bioengineering - I hope to one day develop the technology to reduce, if not prevent, the number of neurological
“Alzheimer’s From A New Angle: A radical new approach to treating the fearful disease is showing promise” by Alice Park, an article found in the February 22/29, 2016 issue of TIME magazine, delves into encouraging new research being conducted to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive neurodegenerative condition that destroys the brain. Dr. Frank Longo, from the Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences at Stanford University, School of Medicine, is leading the charge. This disease was discovered over 110 years ago by a German physician named, Alois Alzheimer. For so many years now, researchers have focused solely on treating/stopping Alzheimer’s once its devastation has already begun. In the last seven years, over
Alzheimer’s disease is a complex illness that affects the brain tissue directly and undergoes gradual memory and behavioral changes which makes it difficult to diagnose. It is known to be the most common form of dementia and is irreversible. Over four million older Americans have Alzheimer’s, and that number is expected to triple in the next twenty years as more people live into their eighties and nineties. (Johnson, 1989). There is still no cure for Alzheimer’s but throughout the past few years a lot of progress has been made.
Luckily, there are biotechnology companies trying to solve the growing problems that Alzheimer’s disease is presenting to the public. Despite repeated failures in clinical trials, leading pharmaceutical companies continue to invest time and capital in finding Alzheimer’s disease treatments. 99 percent of therapies in the past decade have come up short. Scientists are bitterly divided on the issue of targeting amyloid to effect the progression of
Alzheimer’s disease is a prominent brain disease that effects a massive amount of individuals in the United States. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for 60-80% of dementia cases, with no chance of being cured, prevented or decelerating over time (Alzheimer’s Association, 2014). AD is the most well-known form of dementia, causing complications in brain function in the areas of memory, thinking, and behavior (Alzheimer’s Association, 2014). In an effort to gain a deeper understanding of Alzheimer’s disease, researchers create new knowledge about the disease, which is then distributed to the public. The goal in this information disbursement is to find new and inventive ways to treat AD, prevent AD from progressing at such a rapid pace, and aid in the quality of life in those diagnosed with AD as well as caregivers and medical professionals providing treatment to individuals’ with AD.
What are people willing to do to maintain a healthy mind and body? A former emperor of china, Qin Shi Huang, killed himself trying to live forever by consuming age-stopping mercury pills. In the 1400's Pope Innocent VIII believed by transfusing three young boys blood into himself he would absorb their youth, he died in the process. In the 1800's Leonard Jones ran for president with the promise to achieve immortality, he believed this would be accomplished through prayer and fasting, later that year pneumonia led to his death.
Alzheimer’s disease is a common problem in today’s society and within the older population this disease makes up the largest form of dementia. Although it is a problem in mainly older people, this disease can still occur in the younger population also. People in their 30s-50s can be diagnosed with this disease, even though it is not as common as people in their 60s-90s. The number of people with Alzheimer’s in the U.S. is close to five million and is expected to double within the next 30 years. With our modern medicine and advancements one would think a cure would be available, however, getting to the cause of the disease is a major factor. The cause of Alzheimer’s disease is one that is very debatable and questionable and most likely is a result of multiple factors rather than one. The main issue with finding the cause is because this disease affects the brain and can
With the growing number of people becoming diagnosed, and experiencing symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, we must begin to take precautions and somehow attempt to gain knowledge of how the disease can be better treated, and ultimately prevented.
Alzheimer's Disease is a condition that affects 50% of the population over the age of eighty five, which equals four million Americans each year. It is becoming an important and high-profile issue in today's society for everyone. There are rapid advancements being made in the fight against this disease now more than ever, and the purpose of this essay is to educate the public on the background as well as the new discoveries. There are many new drugs that are being tested and studied every day which slow down, and may even halt the progress of the disease.