Blood of the young mouse

[Joel S. Berson]

Headline in the Boston Globe, today (May 5), page 1:

" Young blood halts aging in mice tests
Three studies show rejuvenation; implications for humans uncertain "

"Uncertain"?  Humbug!  Now, with authority and experimental evidence
(from Harvard and the University of California), and based on the
theory of evolution, survival of the fittest, and racial science, we
have the scientific explanation for the existence of vampires.  I
predict a viral (uhm, proteinal) increase in their presence in the
human family ... and in vampire movies.

While I prefer the headline from the Boston Globe article,
http://tinyurl.com/mpehotv ,
the New York Times writer http://tinyurl.com/mn72f4p quickly sees
through the facade:

" As ghoulish as the research may sound [sic!], experts said that it
could lead to  treatments for disorders like Alzheimer's disease and
heart disease.
      'I am extremely excited,' said Rudolph Tanzi, a professor of
neurology at Harvard Medical School, who was not involved in the
research. 'These findings could be a game changer.' "

I can just see the treatments and games.  Sony must be working right
now on an improved Playstation with an optional attachable lancet and
hypodermic needle. Then there will be the wholesalers who create
protein shakes.  Etc.  (According to the BG, one of the leading
researchers "has begun working with ... a venture capital firm .. to
come up with a strategy to turn the insights about GDF11 [the key
protein] into potential treatments that could be tested in people.)

Also in the NYT:

" The research builds on centuries of speculation that the blood of
young people contains substances that might rejuvenate older adults. "

The BG article concludes:

" All the researchers warned that people hoping to reverse aging
shouldn't get any wild ideas about infusing themselves with young
blood, although they acknowledged making their share of vampire jokes.

A ' "Vampire" Blood Journal Club' even meets at Harvard to discuss
new findings in the field.

'I am the oldest member of the team here, and I personally understand
the sentiment for patients,' [Lee] Rubin [director of translational
medicine at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute] said. But, he said, he's
willing to wait for a drug to be developed. "

The Vampire Club's members' "sentiment" (desire?) for patients?!

Joel

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