Bob Ehresman
" The first stage of the testing involved linking the circulatory systems of an older and a younger mouse through what is known as a parabiotic system. This allowed the protein-rich blood from the younger mouse to flow through the elder's system continuously, maximizing the effect of the protein. "
Who would ever have thought Countess Bathory got it right?
Adorable pumpkin
Inspired by Dr. Melton's work will humans in the future transfuse themselves with artificial young blood? But what will happen when supplies runs out and they are unable to break their habit? uh oh... are vampires gonna be a real thing now?
The Skud
The sooner this gets approved and mass-produced the better! With whole-blood and plasma transfusions legal virtually world-wide already, unless some greedy swine manages to patent the idea, it should not need a long testing procedure. Hopefully the cost factor can be controlled and the demand for blood donors will not get out of hand as the rich try to buy up supply. I think I will start a 'cult' with a following of 50 or so young accolytes donating me a pint a week to keep their aging guru alive. Unless very marked rejuvenation occurs, I would not need only female virgins.
VirtualGathis
I like that it wasn't just the direct transfusions that worked. Being able to concentrate the GDF11 out of the blood would allow a less risky proceedure. I'm not clear from the reading, but if it's plasma derived and not whole blood then it could also speed things up at collections. You can donate plasma much more frequently than whole blood.
Art Toegemann
How very slowwwwwww... This is clearly the answer to longevity in general. The shrunken heads behind this article need a shot of GDF11.
Glenn McGinnis
I am 70. So if I can hold together for 10 more years something may be available to rejuvenate my aged body and mind. If course I am sure my income would have to jump by $500K per year to afford whatever results from the effort. And hopefully obummercare will allow people to live past 60 (a bit of Logans Run humor, although not that funny at 70).
Jaesun_1
How is this protein extracted from blood? Is the protein age related or does everyone with healthy blood carry it? If all healthy blood contains GDF11 then hospitals could start harvesting it from suitable volunteer patients. How much is required to show positive results? Could an individual become his own donor and stock pile the protein? Is the protein from animals compatible with humans? Etcetra..... More questions than answers stem from the above article.
Fretting Freddy the Ferret pressing the Fret
@Jaesun_1
A lot of your questions are not that good, unfortunately. Some of your questions are answered in the article if you had carefully read it. Protein extraction happens in a lab and in multiple, detailed steps. It would not be interesting for your average Gizmag reader to read. Nobody stockpiles his own blood, so you can expect the same for the protein. A protein is a protein, if it's the same building blocks and structure, it does not even matter which animal it comes from. A smart person would not harvest this from the already cumbersome enough process of blood harvesting.
No, you would do it the pharmeucetical way. You would use recombinant DNA technology and expression vectors.
Nelson Hyde Chick
Great, now people will live longer but not still produce just as many babies and instead of the Earth topping out at ten billion it will go to twelve, and that Earth will be a living hell.
Caimbeul
Proving vampires were right all along.