The golden cell

It sounds like a blockbuster Hollywood movie: a group ofscientists learn how to duplicate cells and transform them into blood, nerve andbone to regenerate different parts of the body. Sheets of living tissue canrenew exhausted organs. Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis and spinal cordpatients now have new hope. But this isn't science fiction--it's scientific fact. Inthe fascinating new book The Golden Cell, Karen van Kampen, a veteranmedical journalist, tells us the stories of the people behind the science. Sheushers us into the laboratory where one Dr. Michael Kaplitt is reprogramming theoveractive brain cells of a Parkinson's sufferer. She looks at the maelstromof ethical, legal and political issues, as two researchers are forced to selltheir stem cell discoveries to "big pharma." And she propels us intothe future, talking to a scientist who says he's found the "cellularfountain of youth." A book of people, personalities and politics, all connected byone of the most important scientific discoveries in history, The Golden Cell isan enthralling and provocative read. "Today's cells are tomorrow'spills." Dr. Thomas Okarma, CEOof Geron Corporation "We used to think our future wasin the stars. Now we know it is in ourgenes." James Watson, co-discoverer of thedouble helix structure of DNA