•For this concept to become
real a number of technical research
challenges must be met including:
–Obtaining iPSCs that are
free of DNA contamination, that have
long telomeres and full hESC pluripotency
–Developing reliable means
for assuring differentiation into Types
B and C stem cells
–Developing reliable and safe
means for introducing those cells into their respective body niches
•Much research is being
devoted to these approaches but
10-20 years are likely to be required
before the stem cell
supply chain can truly be closed in humans.
•If and as this happens
I conjecture that extraordinary human longevity might become possible – lifespans
of hundreds of
years.