In the US, the new administration’s approach to stem cell research has the potential to lead to dramatic advances in medical treatments.
However, those treatments are still some way off. So how can we ‘prepare’ for the day when the potential becomes a reality?
New York-based company StemSave is offering to extract and store stem cells from your teeth (or, more likely, those of your children) so that they can be used in such future procedures.
Recent research has shown that teeth are a good source of stem cells and therefore provide a ‘second chance’ (a child’s umbilical cord being the first) to set aside stem cells for use in future treatments. The service costs a little under $600 to start with and then about $100 a year thereafter.
Here’s the gist of it from StemSave’s website:
- The loose baby tooth, extracted permanent tooth or wisdom teeth are recovered by your dentist at the time of the planned dental procedure.
- StemSave’s patented recovery and transport system protects and nourishes the stem cells while the tooth is rushed to our laboratory.
- StemSave’s laboratory removes the cells from inside the teeth and assesses whether the cells are viable prior to cryopreservation. Cells that are not viable will not be stored.
- The cells are cryogenically-preserved using state-of-the-art technology and securely stored and monitored until needed.
Of course, there is no guarantee that (a) you will need to make use of this insurance policy (b) that treatments developed will be relevant or effective in relation to any illness you may develop or (c) that the implementation will require you having stored stem cells – or (d) or (e) or any other letter of the alphabet for that matter.
Then again for those willing to part with the cash, this could be a smart way to ‘future proof’ your health. Either way, given the increasing pace of medical advancement, we’re certain to see many more consumer services (associated with, for example, stem cell research and gene therapy) emerging.
Site: www.stemsave.com
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