Stop the clock! That appears to be the current mantra of our generation as we cross over into the 21st century Is there a fountain of youth to slow down aging? Are we really on the verge of finding a total cure for cancer or other debilitating diseases?

Medical researchers release new discoveries and advances in the field of anti-aging and longevity medicine every day.
At 16.5 billion dollars annually, anti-aging is medicine’s fastest growing subspecialty. Over the next 17 years, seventy-
six million people will be approaching 50 years of age at a rate of one every 7.5 seconds. Before you get through my
next paragraph another youth-hugging boomer just turned 50!

The Fourth Annual Anti-Aging Conference was held last December in Las Vegas. Researchers, experts, and health
and beauty businesses worldwide presented new information, products and revolutionary breakthroughs in the field of
anti-aging medicine. Interested minds lined up to hear what’s new — scientifically, holistically and spiritually. Lecture
topics ranged from cancer and immunology research, to gene therapy and fetal stem cells.

Something that caught my eye was a “cell harvesting machine” designed to preserve stem cells so they can be cloned
and infused back into the bloodstream at a future date. Stem cells are self-renewing cells found in both fetal and adult
tissue and have the ability to repair themselves well into the aging process. What exactly does this mean? The theory
is if you harvest your cells at the age of 30 and replace them at the age of 60, the cells will function as those of a 30
year-old. So does this cell harvesting mechanism work?

This was a question for my interview with Dr Hans Kugler, is a 65 year-old German scientist with an Arnold
Schwartzeneger physique. He is an avid athlete and a former military pilot who continues to pursue his passion for
flying. Kugler, a pioneer and researcher in the field of anti-aging medicine and gene therapy has seven books under his
belt on health and aging.
He is the President of The International Academy of Alternative and Anti-Aging Medicine and Senior Science Advisor
to The Journal of Longevity. The journal recently published an article of his entitled Can Humans Be Immortal?
In my interview I asked about making cells immortal through a process known as Telomerase Gene Therapy which he
discusses in his article.”Within the nucleus of every cell there is the DNA double helix and at the end of the double
helix there exist telomeres.” Similar to the plastic ends of a shoelace, each telomere has 60 segments known as
repeat sequences.

“When the cell comes to the end of its life span and divides, signals are given and one of these segments of the 60
repeat sequences is chopped off or shortened,” explained Dr Kugler “When they are all used up having reached the
“maximum” life span, there is nowhere to go and the species dies. The telomere length or the number of DNA repeats
determine the number of cell divisions. The key to maintaining telomere length is the enzyme Telomerase.”

Telomerase maintains telomere length because every time the sequence is chopped off the telomerase enzyme
replaces it. Currently we know that Telomerase is found in cancer cells — making cells immortal without uncontrolled
cancer growth is the real goal of gerontologists. Researchers have now discovered the gene codes for the enzyme
Telomerase, which means they can clone it and reinsert it back into healthy human cells.

So the Telomerase gene inserted into cells maintains the telomere length and the result is immortality? “Exactly”
Kugler exclaims with his German gusto, “they stay young, like truly young cells in their function and appearance.”
Although Telomerase Gene Therapy is still in research and clinical trial phases, medical science continues to prove
that aging, by and large, may prove to be a treatable condition. The ethics of molecular medicine are continually being
challenged and it will be interesting to see what new technology establishes itself in the 21st century.

COSMETIC SURGERY MAGAZINE

Revolutionary radiofrequency skin resurfacing, microwave liposuction, biomecanical and laser bras, endoscopic surgery
advances, diet, nutrition, exercise and human growth hormones were just some of the areas covered at this year’s
scientific meeting.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the largest plastic surgery organization in the world, The Plastic
Surgery Educational Foundation (PSEF) and the American Society of Maxiliofacial Surgeons brought together more
than six thousand people in the field of plastic and cosmetic surgery to share knowledge and new technologies at the
69th Annual Scientific Meeting. The conference, held in Los Angeles, California last October, was their first meeting of
the new millennium.

Leaders from across the globe shared knowledge on cutting-edge technologies and discussed the latest issues
affecting the field. With over 160 instructional courses and lectures, a series of scientific programs were presented on
such topics as liposuction. Facelifts, craniofacial reconstructive surgery and breast reconstruction.

In addition, with over 50,000 square feet of exhibits, companies from around the world produced a remarkable show
Included among the many cosmetic surgery products on display were the latest implant developments, skin care
technologies, innovative surgical tools, video microscopes, therapeutic devices, surgical garments and medical
consulting, marketing and Internet companies.
One of the many presentations discussed The Latest Technologies in Plastic Surgery and introduced revolutionary
computer generated surgical planning simulators using 3D imaging scanners and virtual reality equipment. Although,
this groundbreaking technology appears to be slightly ahead of its time for use in cosmetic surgery, these astonishing
tools will definitely be a part of the future.
Advances in biotechnology included Coblation, a revolutionary radio frequency skin resurfacing mechanism. Microwave
liposuction, silicone breast implant controversies, biomecanical and laser bras were also among the many topics
discussed. The Emerging Technologies Symposium included a lecture on How To Incorporate Anti-Aging Into Your
Practice. Dr Brian Kinney, a plastic surgeon in Century City, California presented basic scientific and clinical
applications for introducing anti-aging medicine into the cosmetic surgeon’s practice.
Dr Kinney who lectures around the world, feels that by incorporating total wellness into a practice the doctor is offering
rejuvenation in every sense. Treating the whole patient is a theory designed to optimize the results of cosmetic
procedures and promote an overall well being in the patient. Life expectancy has increased and more patients are
having cosmetic procedures performed than ever before.

Dr Kinney endorses a complete program for staying healthy. He encourages a multi­disciplinary approach combining
diet, exercise, and mind-body-spirit philosophies. Caloric restriction, hormone replacement, organ care and cell
rejuvenation research is discussed. Kinney considers lifestyle alterations (stop smoking, etc.), vitamins and skin care
routines play an important role in maintaining a healthy and youthful presence.

In his closing statement, Dr Kinney quotes Aristotle, Education is the best provision for old age. Although Kinney
warns of obstacles in learning a new hybrid of medicine, he encourages doctors to accumulate data for advancement
of their understanding. With anti-aging science in the forefront of medical technology cosmetic surgeons are becoming
increasingly aware of “new” patient needs. Doctors integrating anti-aging treatments and philosophies into their
practice hope that patients may experience an overall enhanced quality of life.