This start-up is offering $8,000 blood transfusions from teens to people who want to fight aging

Discussion in 'Wall St. News' started by Covertibility, Jun 1, 2017.

  1. File this under: Since we can't find vampires to do the job,



    This start-up is offering $8,000 blood transfusions from teens to people who want to fight aging




    It might sound like science fiction, or a recent episode of "Silicon Valley," but a start-up called Ambrosia is charging $8,000 for blood transfusions from young people.

    About 100 people have signed up to receive an infusion, founder Dr. Jesse Karmazin said Wednesday at the Code Conference.

    Anyone over age 35 can become an Ambrosia customer, said Karmazin, but most of the early adopters tend to be of retirement age. He also stressed that it's a range of people, and not just Bay Area technologists, who have signed up.


    [​IMG]
    Christina Farr
    A controversial plan to inject young blood into older people

    The donated blood typically comes from teenagers, although anyone under age 25 is eligible. The company buys its supply from blood banks, which also sell blood to pharmaceutical companies. So high-schoolers donating their blood are not aware that it might be used on healthy adults.

    Speaking to a roomful of technologists, Karmazin explained that the company does not claim that it can cure aging. Instead, he's hoping to recruit hundreds more people to research whether the transfusions can help fight particular symptoms associated with aging. Traditionally, biological aging hasn't been treated as a disease, which makes it challenging to study.

    Karmazin said those who have signed up have seen some positive benefits and haven't reported any negative ones. Blood transfusions come with a variety of risks, including allergic reactions.

    Karmazin started the company after reviewing research into whether injecting older mice with the plasma portion of young ones can improve memory. Other so-called parabiosis studies went a step further in connecting older and younger animals so that their blood mingles.

    These studies are far from definitive, and scientists have spoken outabout the ethics of such a study, which they see as taking advantage of the public's excitement and lacking much evidence. But the concept has seen a recent resurgence in interest because well-known Silicon Valley investors like Peter Thiel have spoken out about its promise.

    But that does not mean Thiel gets teenage blood transfusions, said Karmazin, a graduate of Stanford Medical School. Karmazin stressed that Thiel is not an Ambroisa customer — and to his knowledge, Ambrosia is the only U.S. company on the market.

    "Of course, it's possible he could have gone abroad," Karmazin shrugged. "But I haven't heard anything about that."


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    I can't believe this is real.

    On another note: Would being bitten by a gay vampire make you become a gay vampire?
     
  2. vanzandt

    vanzandt

    That would suck.
     
    Tsing Tao likes this.
  3. Overnight

    Overnight

    Sounds related to Teloyears.com

    And to think, a few decades ago people grew to ripe old age eating meat, drinking wine and indulging in snack cakes. But now? Nope. It has all changed. Change your cellular age, so you can change your lifespan!

    I say, God bless the Twinkie.
     
  4. Tsing Tao

    Tsing Tao

     
  5. Old people need to accept death already. This is pathetic.
     
  6. there`s substantial risk to also die from the blood transfusions.
     
  7. Turveyd

    Turveyd

    Read this research just yesterday and thought someone will be selling young blood pretty soon, same or next day, pretty impresssive.

    For 8000 a pop, they should atleast get teenagers in and pay them 500 per fill up.

    Would I in my 60s use this if i could afford, ohh yes, we all would/will aging sucks.
     
  8. zdreg

    zdreg

    if pretty young women can sell their virginity why not young blood?
     
  9. Turveyd

    Turveyd

    Literally no issues here, as long as all parties are aware and happy with the arrangement.

    Ofcourse the current blood donors are donating assuming it's going to help sick people, not the elderley feel younger, as long as they tick the " May be used for this " box no real issue, other than it's taking blood supplies away from Jo Public who may need it.

    So definately, stop this if there is a shortage, but no harm done if not I guess.
     
  10. speedo

    speedo

    PT Barnum is laughing in his grave.
     
    #10     Jun 2, 2017