Oh no, oh no, oh no.
I mean, we should have seen this coming. Scientists have discovered that vampires, yes vampires, were right all along. The blood of the young helps keep alive the old.
[Technology Review] The antiaging power of blood might not be just the stuff of vampire stories. According to new research from Harvard University, an unspecified factor in the blood of young mice can reverse signs of aging in the circulatory system of older ones. It’s not yet clear how these changes affect the animals’ overall health or longevity. But the research provides hope that some aspects of aging, such as the age-related decline in the ability to fight infection, might be avoidable.
“At least some age-related defects are reversible, and the factors to reverse them are carried in blood,” said Amy Wagers, a researcher at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute and Joslin Diabetes Center, in Boston, at a press conference on Tuesday. Identifying those factors could lead to new strategies to boost resistance to infection, and perhaps a decrease in some cancers, she said.
There are some discoveries I wish we didn’t make. Can a society that routinely kills millions of unborn children in the name of convenience be trusted with this kind of knowledge?
We already treat children as a commodity to be taken or left as desire dictates. Honestly, if this science shows the same result in humans, how long until farms of children to be harvested for their blood are the new thing.
One other thing. The vampirific reality will likely be much different from the movies. Those people who will be able to afford the “organic rejuvenation serum” won’t be those young beautiful people, no sir. Those clubs of the immortal will be akin to the nude beaches of today. If you have ever stumbled upon a nude beach (note- don’t go for a stroll down the Fire Island Nation Sea Shore), then you will know that the only people who go to nude beaches are people you would never, NEVER, want to see naked.
The people who will make first use of this technology are the Jocelyn Wildensteins of the world.
Shudder.
January 31, 2010 at 2:54 pm
Nothing good can come of this.
January 31, 2010 at 9:45 pm
I dated one of 'em years ago.
January 31, 2010 at 10:00 pm
Sherry Tex has it right, nothing good from this one.
In all honesty, what is the problem with growing older? Yeah the aches & pains mount up, the vision & hearing fade. Got it. Life is a trade off, for the loss of those you can accurately predict the outcome of stupidity performed by the young.
As the gray hairs increase (amongst whatever hair remains) it helps to remember that gray is the color of wisdom.
For a great flick that spoofs our youth obsessed culture, check out "Death Becomes Her"
January 31, 2010 at 10:38 pm
So who wants to inhabit this mortal coil any longer than necessary? Isn't the point to spend our time wisely, doing God's work and then gladly go home to him when he calls? I mean, it's a wonderful world and all, but it pales by comparison to the final destination!
I guess most of these types don't believe in the final destination…
February 1, 2010 at 12:45 am
Stocking up on Holy Water and garlic. If the Vampire threat doesn't materialize than I'll just have a lot of Holy Water and garlic which isn't bad at all. Although I should probably get some spaghetti to go with the garlic.
February 1, 2010 at 9:04 pm
Ok, subvet, after 2 surgeries and several bouts of PT, I can say that I don't mind the destination, it's the trip that will kill you. I am getting tired of some of the side effects of the grey hair 🙂 AnneG
February 2, 2010 at 4:18 am
Don't they already have some kind of cosmetics or serums that use cells from aborted fetuses? Next they'll deliver them alive, take their blood, cells, and anything else they can use, then let them die. This world is getting sicker by the minute.
February 2, 2010 at 6:12 am
I can see two ways this might be… one is that the younger mice are young adult, in which case it'd be kind of like my grandma and my grandfather in law– both of whom were on blood transfusions towards the end– or the younger mice are the little pink squeekies, in which case two things come to mind: WHY are they doing that research, and EEEEK!
February 2, 2010 at 6:19 pm
SherryTex is right. Nothing good …
… even today, there is controversy over parents who conceive children in the hopes that their blood/tissues can "save" an older child's terminal illness …
… I can easily picture a scenario in which pregnant teens are encouraged to carry their illegitimate babies to birth, then give them to the government's "care system" that will harvest their "anti-aging factors" … Planned Parenthood will shift business models, of course, to "address this new need" …
… or did they make that horror flick already?
What Sherry said.
February 3, 2010 at 6:00 am
Well, when we run out of money to pay our taxes, wonder if they'll take a warm pint or two in lieu of payment? We used to joke about government and Hollywood being "blood sucking leeches" now they've a new gig.