The interview came after scientists from the Salk Institute claimed that the aging process may in fact be reversible.
The provocative claim was preceded by the findings of a new study, which discovered "embryonic state genes,” stem cells created with embryonic properties from reprogrammed adult cells which can reverse the tell-tale signs of old age.
In the lab, this novel type of gene therapy was tested on mice and human skin cells. The human skin cells in petri dishes changed to look and behave young again, while the mice enjoyed a similar rejuvenating experience.
After six weeks of treatment, the animals looked younger, had straighter spines, better cardiovascular health, healed quicker when injured, and lived 30 percent longer.
Speaking to Sputnik, Alejandro Ocampo, one of the authors of the study, said that the goal of the research is to try to help people "to avoid suffering" from realizing the fact that they are becoming older.
He remained upbeat about experiments with isolated skin cells in a laboratory being shifted to practical use on humans.
"Human trials for anti-aging chemicals will be possible in the next ten years," Ocampo pointed out, saying that the work should be conducted on a step-by-step basis.
Earlier, lead scientist Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte said that the purpose was to significantly increased the "health span” of life, the number of years that someone remains healthy. Currently, aging is associated with several debilitating diseases, including heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer's.
Belmonte was echoed by Ocampo who suggested that the Salk Institute's current research may add significantly to fighting cancer.
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