It was more than 30 years ago when medical researchers discovered a way to derive stem cells from the embryos of mice. This 1981 development led to the discovery of methods to derive stem cells from human embryos and grow them in a laboratory setting. As business leader Jason Hope informs, the international scientific community was electrified because of the profound implications of what mastering stem cell production meant.
It may be a cure for all kinds of diseases – from cancer and organ failure to possibly reversing the aging process itself. However, getting a handle on improving this leading-edge biotechnology has proven to be more elusive than early researchers imagined. For Jason Hope, the promise of stem cell technology remains enormous while many puzzles remain to be solved.
One man who became intrigued by stem cells is noted futurist and entrepreneur Jason Hope. He took a deep dive into the research literature and decided he wanted to get involved. Using the considerable financial resources made available thanks to his many successful business ventures, Hope has made grants to key groups focusing on the development of stem cells.
Jason Hope recently made a significant grant to the California-based SENS Foundation. SENS is the acronym for Strategies for Engineered Negligible Senescence. Senescence, of course, refers to the process of deterioration with age. Currently, Hope is deeply optimistic about the promise of stem cells’ potential to stop or reverse aging.
Nevertheless, he cautions everyone that the road ahead is likely to be long and characterized by setbacks. Jason Hope said that everything from supply chain issues to long-term side effects are hurdles that must be overcome. He also understands that stem cell research is highly controversial and strongly objected to by many with religious and philosophical concerns. Many don’t like the idea of “harvesting” stem cells from human embryonic tissue, for example.