I lost a few brain cells last night due to the effects of a few bubbles in a
glass but let me see if I can straighten out some of the confusion in regards
to Gerons recent announcement, which Tom was so thoughtful in providing.
Although the complete paper is not yet available, (and I was hoping to wait
for its publication before responding), it seems that they are merely saying
that the cells transfected with telomerase in their Science 1998 Jan
16;279(5349):349-352 article are still reproducing in a phenotypically
normal state.
They do, however, seem to be foreshadowing a future announcement with their
references to "in vivo" determinations.
These pronouncements seem to confirm some of my own conjectures as to the
potential of telomeric therapy on the effects of aging in reproducing
cellular systems.
Those interested in the potential of the telomeric theory of aging can see my
article with complete references at;
http://home.earthlink.net/~excelife/indexa.html
Geron Corp. has patented some of the basic processes involved in this
potential therapy but numerous other patents are necessary to achieve a
viable therapeutic application of these procedures. Lifeline Laboratories is
funding some other basic research into this research so that no one company,
country nor organization can obtain a monopoly on its application.
In conjunction with the insulin like growth factor (IGF-1), which can restore
some functioning of muscle cells, and recent advances in the restoration of
nerve cells, the basic outlines of procedures to extend the human life span
are beginning to take shape.
Thomas Mahoney, Pres.
Lifeline Laboratories, Inc.
http://home.earthlink.net/~excelife/index.html