Suzanne Somers: Stem Cell Master?
In case anyone still has any misgivings about the promise of stem cell therapy, rest assured, for a new expert voice has emerged – the eminent scientist Suzanne Somers. 
Yes, she of Three’s Company fame is the new spokesperson for NeoStem Inc., about to launch a stem-cell-storage campaign in California. In an upcoming not-to-be missed event, she will have her stem cells publicly collected at the California HealthSpan Institute in San Diego, presumably from a lone fat cell or two still lurking in her thigh.
Suzanne must know something that I don’t. Said she in the news release, "Stem cell therapy is the most exciting new breakthrough in medicine. It gives me great peace of mind to know that my own stem cells will be banked as bio-insurance for me. Now I am prepared for my future as the beneficiary of medical benefits while I am alive." Odd. When I left the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) annual meeting in June, all I could think about was how much more we need to learn about how stem cells and their descendants talk to each other as they sort themselves into developmental pathways, and then reawaken to replenish and heal tissue.
I can’t help but wonder if Suzanne, in her upcoming New York Times bestseller “Breakthrough,” mentions induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Once the bugs are out – the viruses and oncogenes, that is – that technology will yield stem-like cells right from any old cell. It’s also possible, in culture, to coax one cell type into another, circumventing stem cells altogether. Suzanne must’ve missed this news at ISSCR.
Maybe I’m just jealous. Not of her hair, or career, or even her masterful thighs. For I’ve been penning a stem cell tome all summer, even published a novel about them, and now I’ve been scooped. I expected competition from perhaps Gina Kolata or Rick Weiss, but Chrissie from Three’s Company?
My neural stem cells are simply stunned.
Ricki Lewis is the author of “Stem Cell Symphony” and many textbooks and articles. She is a fellow of the Alden March Bioethics Institute.
contribute a comment
Your contributions to the conversation are very much appreciated. We do have a few simple guidelines, though. Be civil. Stay on topic. We reserve the right to remove comments that violate the aforementioned guidelines. One more thing: comments are moderated, so it may take a little while for your comment to be posted. Thanks.
comments
Get your revenge by getting in on the Thighmaster industry while she's distracted with stem cell stuff.
- by stroll on Aug 1, 2008 at 10:52 AM | link
In plain English, Suzanne has form an alliance with NeoStem to promote storing your own adult stem cells.
- by Suzanne on Aug 1, 2008 at 4:08 PM | link
Actually what Suzanne Somers is doing is well meant, I'm sure, and a good thing to do. For now. My concern is that given what is happening with iPS cells -- and watch for an important news report after Aug 6 on this -- storing your own cells may not be necessary. It's just a way for a company to make money. Nothing wrong with that, either. But I'll wait and have iPS cells made from my dermal fibroblasts if I need a spare part. Also, HLA-matched stem cell banks are in the works, another reason why storing your own won't be necessary. I fear it will be elitist, but I do not know what it costs. Ricki Lewis
- by Ricki Lewis on Aug 3, 2008 at 10:53 AM | link
Several others and myself in '02 considered starting a cell banking company. This was to be called "Cells 4 Life" (I wanted "Cells R Us, but my partners did not like this name) and considered several methods of starting this business. We concluded that eventually someone would develop a method of turning regular cells into stem cells such as to obsolete the need for cloning. We also figured that if old cells could be reprogrammed to become stem cells, it is likely that they will be rejuvenated in the process.
If indeed iPS cells are rejuvenated, then banking one's cells while young is no longer necessary. It also goes with out saying that if cellular rejuvenation is possible, the next stem is the rejuvenation of multi-cellular organism (like us).
- by kurt9 on Aug 5, 2008 at 11:46 AM | link
Another factor with stem cell reprogramming is it's theoretically simple - all you need is the technology not some organic cloning method such as the UK govt are permitting with human-animal hybrids.
- by exogen on Sep 28, 2008 at 7:04 AM | link
Another factor with stem cell reprogramming is it's theoretically simple - all you need is the technology not some organic cloning method such as the UK govt are permitting with human-animal hybrids.
- by exogen on Sep 29, 2008 at 7:10 AM | link
The question seems to be 'is non-embryonic stem-cell research feasible?' Basically, technology moves on & one can foresee 'politically neutral' products on the horizon - maybe even get Palin onboard.
- by neilnv on Sep 30, 2008 at 7:20 AM | link