Are there easy, low cost, ways to freeze personal cell samples for future therapies? And is this a good idea?

post by Eli Tyre (elityre) · 2019-07-09T21:57:28.537Z · LW · GW · 1 comment

This is a question post.

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    13 epiphi
    4 shminux
    1 framistat
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I happened to come across this [LW · GW] old post from 2015, that (in a sort of round about way) endorses freezing some cell samples today, because having frozen cell samples from your youth might prove important for future anti-aging therapies.

I am somewhat skeptical of this being a major factor for anti-aging, but I wonder if others have more information.

Answers

answer by epiphi · 2019-09-02T04:36:00.098Z · LW(p) · GW(p)

Acorn Cryotech, a Toronto startup, does this. They store cells from hair follicles, but I think they're still in the process of launching, so you can only get your cells collected at their office or at certain events attended by their staff. It's $300 CAD upfront and $16/month (i.e. $192/year) thereafter.

Is this a good idea?

I don't know a ton about longevity research (i.e. I've read the Longevity FAQ, the LRI blog, and a few papers here and there), so I wouldn't give my opinion here too much weight. Reviewing the FAQ linked above, it seems reasonable to believe that:

  • a transfusion of blood generated from younger cells would do more good than a transfusion from older cells
  • organs generated from younger cells might last longer, because it would take longer for their cells to become senescent

I expect further developments along these lines. I don't know whether we'll discover methods to reverse cellular aging before we develop practical cell-based longevity therapies.

I'm not going to cryopreserve my stem cells any time soon; I'd prefer to spend my money on charity and freezing my gametes. I think someone with a different budget or different values could reasonably reach a different conclusion.

answer by shminux · 2019-07-10T05:19:45.695Z · LW(p) · GW(p)

Bioeden.com might be similar to what you are looking for. They only deal with baby teeth though.

answer by framistat · 2021-02-15T13:24:02.855Z · LW(p) · GW(p)

Easy and low cost?  No.  Is it a good idea?  If I could afford it, I would do it, and may still...

Regenexx is the pioneer in the area of non-surgical orthopedic medicine, trains skilled physicians in procedures and have published about half the research papers on stem cell therapy.  They can only do same day autologous procedures in the USA, but at their Cayman location they can expand and store stem cells for future use.  Many professional athletes do this. 

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comment by Ruby · 2019-07-10T04:23:12.903Z · LW(p) · GW(p)

I recall there being startups in this space. I think Laura Vaughn might have been working at one for a time. I think they were easy but maybe expensive.