Nanomedicine could end sickness, disease, and old age by mid-2020s

By Dick Pelletier

     Nanomedicine, the medical application of advanced nanotechnology promises a bold future that will enable people to enjoy life without sickness, disease, and aging. By as early as mid-2020s, scientists hope to construct tiny nanorobots that can manipulate atoms inside cells. Injected into the blood, these clever 'bots would repair tissues, clean arteries, attack cancer; even reverse the effects of aging.

     Most sickness, injury, and stress can be traced to cellular malfunction. Current medicine does not allow doctors to treat selective cells or "edit" disease with genetic code. Instead, today's medical solutions focus primarily on symptoms that far too often, provide negative side effects. Surgery may save lives, but it also causes trauma. Chemotherapy destroys cancer, but also kills healthy cells; and sometimes allows the cancer to return.

     Nanorobots will change healthcare from today's mostly reactive strategies, to proactive methods that prevent sickness and pain from happening in the first place. First generation 'bots might only monitor body chemistry or deliver drugs directly into cells. Later versions aided by advanced artificial intelligence, will seek out damaged organs and failing body parts and re-grow healthy tissues from inside the body.

     Nanorobots work like tiny surgeons as they reach into a damaged cell and make repairs by reformatting new atoms. On demand, these wonders can erase wrinkles, rid the body of excess fat and cellulite, strengthen muscles and bone, restore hair, replace missing teeth; and even repair failing vision.

     At a 2007 nanotech conference, researchers at University of Miami and UC Berkeley announced that nanomedicine is paving the way for nerve cell regeneration. The scientists explained how magnetic nanoparticles and exotic nanofibers can influence neurons in the central nervous system to regenerate after a spinal cord injury. This medical technology, they said, may one day lead to cures for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other brain diseases.

     By 2025, nanomedicine’s molecular tools could be manufactured in pollution-free desktop “nanofactories” at little cost, which will make the technology affordable for everyone. People in third world nations living in remote locations will have access to this futuristic science too, as it will not require a medical facility to be administered.

     Experts say overpopulation concerns will not be a problem. This new science will also create nanorobots that clean the air, remove pollutants from drinking water, and restore ecosystems. It will not only support a society that lives longer, but will provide a healthier "green" planet environment.

     While nanomedicine opens up huge markets and profit potential, entire classes of existing pharmaceuticals such as chemotherapy agents worth billions in revenues will be displaced. But financial consultants say not to worry. Today’s 10 billion dollar nano-health industry will soon grow to 100 billion, and with expected advances, it could one day become a trillion dollar industry.

     Nanomedicine holds great promise for a future generation that may never know what it’s like to suffer disease and pain, or grow old in their wise years. Though visionaries differ on how many years we might expect to enjoy living an indefinite lifespan, most futurists are certain that this "magical future" will happen, and could include many of today’s baby boomers and seniors who maintain a healthy lifestyle.

This article appeared in various print publications and on-line blogs. Comments always welcome.