Emerging medical research and cutting-edge technology will dramatically increase human life expectancy and quality of life in the near future, according to a recent fireside chat titled How Do We Make 100 Years Old Our New 60? hosted by Bob Reby, Ambassador of the Fairfield- Westchester Chapter of Singularity University and CEO of Reby Advisors, with special guest Sam Gandy, MD, Ph.D., a prominent internationally recognized expert in neurology and psychology.
Anyone interested in learning more about these medical breakthroughs may watch a video of the event for free on the Reby Advisors website: http://www.rebyadvisors.com/live-events-videos
Dr. Gandy, Chairman Emeritus of the National Medical and Scientific Advisory Council of the Alzheimer's
Association shared new research on human stem cells, genetic codes and the complex hereditary nature of Alzheimer’s Disease, among other topics.
With regard to stem cell research, Dr. Gandy explained, “It’s possible now to restore sight and hearing in certain conditions. This was not possible before. These are people who were deaf and blind, doomed to being deaf and blind lifelong.”
He continued, “Stem cells are the primordial type of cell that can ultimately be differentiated or specialized to form any type of cell in the body. If you have a stem cell from someone, you can then recreate the heart cells or lung cells or brain cells that a particular person has. It can really [lead to] person-based medicine.”
Reby also brought up the topic of CRYSPR Genome Editing, and the potential of this research to be used for both good and harm.
“CRYSPR is basically gene editing, which means that you can go into the DNA and make changes, edits. If you want to eradicate genetic diseases, it's possible to use this technology to go into an egg, or a sperm, and correct the mutation. So, you could edit out a hereditary disease.”
“Most people with Alzheimer's Disease, it's not that simple. The challenge is to find an intervention that we can use beginning in midlife that is safe and will prevent Alzheimer's. Some of the ways that we have of intervening now are not perfectly safe and would not be things that you'd want to give people for 50 years.”
The fireside chat was the first event for the Fairfield-Westchester Chapter of Singularity University, a “global learning and innovation community using exponential technologies to tack the world’s biggest challenges and build a better future for all.”
According to Reby, future events will focus on artificial intelligence, robotics and other exponential technologies. He explained, “The reason I like [Singularity University] is their faculty is made up of a lot of business owners, so they’re not just talking about it. They’re doing it as well.”
Community leaders, business owners and technology enthusiasts are encouraged to contact Reby
Advisors if they would like to participate in the Fairfield-Westchester Chapter of Singularity University.
To watch the video of this first event, go to: http://www.rebyadvisors.com/live-events-videos