Alzheimer’s is a degenerative disease primarily affecting the elderly population. According to Dr. Cohen, fewer resources are dedicated to preventing and treating Alzheimer’s due to the fundamental lack of awareness (Cohen, 2015). Though Alzheimer’s is an equal cause of death as cancer, more resources are availed to cancer research as people are more aware of its prevalence. There are cancer awareness days and marathons, which enhance cognizance of cancer (Cohen, 2015). Additionally, multiple events are organized annually to generate money for cancer research, whereas Alzheimer’s does not have such.
I agree with Dr. Cohen’s assessment of Alzheimer’s being disregarded as a normal disease among the aged. Alzheimer’s symptoms are often associated with signs of aging, for example, being senile, whereas this is not the case. Autopsy studies reveal a significant difference between an Alzheimer’s patient’s brain and that of a healthy aged individual (Cohen, 2015). To combat the imminent neurological epidemic, the US government should direct more funding to neurological research to find plausible treatments (Petsko, 2008). One should avoid all neurological hazards, such as brain concussions, and increase coffee and fish oil intake at an individual level.
I found Dr. Wyss-Coray’s research groundbreaking and instrumental to the avoidance of a neurological epidemic. Should this research be taken to clinical trials and the results be as positive as in the mice, Dr. Wyss-Coray may have just found the cure to many neurological problems. The concept of using young blood to treat neurological deficits is a conundrum. Todd expresses his concerns about the emergence of a black market, which would have many young people fall victim to violence. Dr. Wyss-Coray also denotes in his research the importance of weekly administration of plasma to get the full benefits of the same (Wyss-Coray, 2015). Considering there are no proper regulations on plasma donation, many young people are likely to be victimized (Interlandi, 2015). For the aforesaid reasons, I would not support this project.
References
Cohen, S. (2015). Alzheimer’s is not normal aging — And we can cure it [Video]. TED. Web.
Interlandi, J. (2015). What are the ethics of using young blood to reverse the effects of aging? [Video]. Ideas. Web.
Petsko, G. A. (2008). The coming neurological epidemic. TED. Web.
Wyss-Coray, T. (2015). How young blood might help reverse aging. Yes, really [Video]. TED. Web.