Cancer happens when normal cells mutate and multiply. This research may have an impact on other diseases associated with old age and death as well. The answers could come in the next five to 10 years, but there are still serious hurtles and most scientists expect setbacks along with discoveries as their work progresses through the millennium. Research into aging doesn't stop with Geron. The low-cal diet seems to impart long life in other animals as well, including certain worms.
Stem cells are another veritable fountain of youth.
These embryonic cells transform themselves into essential human building blocks like red and white blood cells and scientists believe they can be coaxed into transforming themselves into any body tissue. Stem cell research could lead to therapies for Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, birth defects and some cancers. Dissecting age-related diseases, like Alzheimer's disease, is also a way scientists are studying what happens in the body and how they might modify or stop the damage. Living longer isn't the purview only of gene researchers. She was a fabulous cellist.