1. Methuselah Laboratories Inc.
Genetics and the Degenerative Diseases of Aging
11/13/2018

2. Sean Fraley Vice President for Economic Development
By:
Sean Fraley Vice President for Economic Development
Ronald F. White Chair of the Ethics Advisory Board
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3. DISCLAIMER Methuselah Corporation is a fictitious business entity.
We are not “really” representatives of that fictitious business entity.
You are not “really” stockholders of that fictitious business entity.
Nevertheless, what we’ll discuss today is “really” true, or will someday be “really” true.
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4. Topics of Discussion Introduction: The Degenerative Diseases of Aging
Genetic Technologies
Ethical Analysis
Economic Analysis
Conclusions
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5. Introduction: The Degenerative Diseases of Aging
Diabetes (Insulin Producing Cells)
Alzheimer’s Disease (Nerve Cells)
Heart Attacks (Heart Muscle Cells)
Cirrhosis (Liver Cells)
Osteoporosis (Bone Cells)
Macular Degeneration (Eye Cells)
Senescence (All Cells)
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6. Genetic Technologies Human Pluripotent Stem Cells-
Telomerase Expression-
Nuclear Transfer
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7. Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
Human stem cells that have an unlimited ability to divide and the capability to turn into virtually all cell types and tissues in the body.
Human pluripotent stem cells can provide a universal and infinite supply of cells that could potentially revolutionize transplant medicine.
Recent Research on Stem Cells
University of Wisconsin-From Embryos
Johns Hopkins University-From Aborted Fetuses
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8. Derivation of Pluripotent Stem Cells
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10. Telomerase Expression
Telomerase is an enzyme that extends the replicative lifespan of normal cells.
Activating human telomerase extends the life of pluripotent stem cells may lead to cell replacement therapies for many degenerative diseases.
The molecular components of telomerase have been cloned.
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11. Nuclear Transfer
A technique used to transfer the nucleus of an adult cell to an enucleated egg to clone animals and cell lines.
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12. Genetic Therapy and Genetic Enhancement
Genetic Diseases: Cancer, Osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Diabetes, Macular Degeneration, Menopause, Aging, Alcoholism, Premenstrual Syndrome.
Genetic Enhancement
Genetic Traits: Sex, Hair Color, Location of Body Hair, Eye Color, Body Weight, Stature, Athletic Prowess, Racial Characteristics, Mathematical Ability, Artistic Ability, Breast Size, Penis Size.
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13. Somatic and Germline Therapies and Enhancements
Somatic Therapies/Enhancements
Germline Therapies/Enhancements
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14. Moral Analysis Principle of Respect for Human Life-
Principle of Utility-
Principle of Beneficence
Principle of Nonmaleficence-
Principle of Liberty
Principle of Justice
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15. Economic Analysis History of Biotechnology
Functions of the Economic System
Externalities and the Role of Government
Biotechnology: Utopian Science or Commercial Expectations
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16. History of Biotechnology
Pre 1970’s- biotechnology dependent upon the use of natural organisms
Post 1970’s- recombinant DNA was introduced
1973 G.E. received the first biotechnology engineering patent
1978 Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer receive first recombinant DNA patent
1980 Genentech was first public Biotech corporation
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17. Functions of the Economic System
Opportunity Costs and Allocation of Scarce Resources
Maximization of Human Wants
Allocate Risk with Rewards and the Search for Profits
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18. Externalities and the Role of Government
Market economies underinvest in basic research and development
Private corporations less willing to take unprofitable or technically risky behavior
Government funded research
Externalities
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19. Biotechnology: Utopian Science or Commercial Expectations?
Government Science Policy since 1970’s
Universities and the Government
Universities and Private Corporations
Government, Universities, Private Corporations and Big Science
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20. Patents versus Corporate Secrecy
Functions of Patent Law
Obtaining Patents
Stimulating or Protecting Innovation in Science
Patents and Government Funded Basic Research
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21. Conclusions
Is it possible for Methuselah Corporation to advance medical science, earn a profit for stockholders, and maintain moral integrity?
What role should government play in the fledgling biotech industry?
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