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.
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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
Hi,
I'm just a daughter whose keen interest in stem cell research began when ophthalmologists told my mother that stem cell therpay would be the only hope of reversing the damage done to her optic nerves by a major reaction to a change in her blood pressure medicine.
My mother can see and her eyes have stabilized. However, she cannot safely judge distances and has taken herself off the road as a driver. I
I heard Suzanne Somers in an interview and my research led me to you, Dr. Lewis. Any thoughts, suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Amelia
townsendart@gmail.com
- by Amelia on Jan 22, 2009 at 7:52 AM | link
The media and celebrity coverage on stem cell research is astounding! It is because of the controversy surrounding this issue that I am writing about it for my thesis. I am a student at the University of Oregon working on her paper to be admitted into the journalism school. I am posing the question, "Should the National Institutes of Health expand federal funding beyond the arena of IVF embryos and into the realm of cloned embryos?" If you have knowledge or experience in this matter, I would be interested in speaking with you about your insights and opinions. Email me at justelle@charter.net!
- by Elliott Kennedy on May 21, 2009 at 4:18 PM | link