The world's first GMO woman: how an American was younger than 30 years in four years
'04.04.2021'
Source: New Time
How an American introduced the telomerase gene and became younger for 30 years. And what can you do to rejuvenate yourself now, says "New Time".
In the recent past, the abbreviation "GMO" refers only to animals, plants and microorganisms. But in September 2015, it became applicable to humans.
44-year-old American Elizabeth Parrish introduced the telomerase gene into her body, becoming the world's first GMO woman.
She did this in order to slow down the aging processes that went faster in her body than in other people.
“We can no longer allow age-related diseases to kill us ahead of time. People can potentially be healthy, strong and able to take care of themselves on their own, and not end their days on wheelchairs in nursing homes, ”Elizabeth explained her risky act.
Four years after the experiment, she looks great.
Her skin shines, wrinkles and furrows disappeared from her forehead, and there is no trace of the deep nasolabial folds, which are visible with a naked eye in the photo and video of 2015.
Could her experience be the beginning of a new approach to the prevention and treatment of old age (she has long been called a disease all over the world)?
Do scientists really have a tool that allows you to effectively rejuvenate the body?
Keepers of Youth - Telomeres
At the ends of our chromosomes are protective “caps”, thanks to which they keep a structured shape.
These chromosome fuses are called telomeres. For “discovering how chromosomes are protected by telomeres and the telomerase enzyme” in 2009, Elizabeth Blackburn received the Nobel Prize in medicine.
What is so important about this discovery for humanity? It turns out that our biological age depends on the length of telomeres. The shorter they are, the larger it is. The length of the terminal sections of chromosomes, according to experts in gerontology from Duke University (USA), only 20% depends on heredity and 80% on our lifestyle.
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What should it be like for telomeres to help us stay young as long as possible?
This was studied by Elizabeth Blackburn and, based on her research, wrote the book “Telomere Effect”. In it, she calls chronic stress the main enemy of the terminal sections of chromosomes and urges them to strengthen them in every way.
In the Telomere Manifesto, the scientist advises:
- Lead an active lifestyle.
- Develop a preparatory ritual that promotes a sound and lasting sleep.
- Practice mindful eating to get rid of bouts of overeating and cravings for unhealthy foods.
- Choose foods that are good for telomeres: natural foods, omega-3 fatty acids - and no bacon.
Telomerase and youth - what is the relationship between them
Elizabeth Blackburn also received the Nobel Prize for discovering how chromosomes protect the telomerase enzyme.
In simple words, it updates telomeres. But this process does not occur constantly: the enzyme is active only during embryogenesis and oncology.
The rest of the time it is in sleep mode. By introducing the telomerase gene into her body, Elizabeth Parrish launched the process of updating telomeres.
If before the experiment their length was 6710 base pairs (and this is typical for 60 years of age), then six months later it increased to 7330 base pairs. And this corresponds to 40 years of age.
That is, in fact, for half a year, Parrish cells are younger by 20 years. But, most interestingly, the rejuvenation process did not stop. By 2018, the telomere length increased to 8120 base pairs, that is, the cells were rejuvenated for another 10 years.
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Not enough evidence?
Fantasy? Not.
“On mice and other animals are actively conducting such experiments. This is not a super-technical challenge, ”says Daria Loseva, geneticist, co-founder of the MyWayDNA project. “They took the adeno-associated virus, introduced the telomerase gene into it, and introduced it into the body.”
Another thing is that there is not enough data to claim that this technique is really effective and safe. For example, one of the most likely risks - with the activation of the telomerase enzyme, an oncological process can start.
In her reports, Elizabeth Parrish focuses on the fact that she did not appear to have oncology after this experiment.
“This result exceeded all my expectations. So far, there have been no negative consequences of my therapy. That is, there is no oncology, and this is the supposed danger when the telomerase enzyme is activated, ”the woman says.
“But the result of one person for science means absolutely nothing,” says Alexander Savsunenko, Ph.D. in Chemistry, founder of a Ukrainian startup that allowed home-based telomere length analysis. - We need research on a large group of people. In addition, telomere length measurements have a large error. And it can be different for different organs ”. That is, let's say, blood cells can be 40 years old, and heart - 60 years old.
So, unfortunately, it is not yet necessary to assert that humanity has a new weapon against old age. But judging by how actively science and, in particular, genetic engineering are developing, this is only a matter of time.
The material is published for educational purposes and is not a medical recommendation. ForumDaily Woman is not responsible for the consequences of self-medication and may not share the views of the author or expert.
