Chris Heward of Kronos Science Laboratories is a well-known researcher in life extension and transhumanist circles. He was recently diagnosed with cancer with little hope of surviving more than one year. There is currently no cure for this type of cancer.

However, there is hope, and with your support not only Dr. Heward but all of us could benefit from a research project using Leukocyte Infusion Therapy (LIFT). More information about this project at Kronos can be found here. You just might discover that you have natural cancer resistance while participating in this groundbreaking research project!

Bruce Klein sat down with Madeline Minx (who!?) for a brief interview about AI and the future of sex. The Minx was not happy with his answers, and he received slaps for his efforts. Laugh, cringe, and then move to China, because the Minx is frighteningly funny.

"I smells me some immortality..."

Mark McAllister started The 2.0 Project a couple years ago to bring attention to the plight of those who cannot secure the insurance or funding required for cryonics preservation services due to pre-existing conditions. I interviewed him for a Frontier Channel article about his efforts and he has since become a good friend.

On February 08, 2008 the next version of The 2.0 Project website is expected to launch, with an expanded mission. I have seen some of the early concept art for Mark's new site and it is fantastic. The new placeholder hints at what is coming. I cannot wait to see the new site.

Mark recently posted a video on Marblejars, a fundraising site centered around video messages. Under the topic "Funding for Cryonics Suspension" Mark discusses Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and his efforts to raise US$80,000 (or marbles in Marblejars parlance) for cryonics suspension services from Alcor Life Extension Foundation.

I have highlighted other fundraiser efforts recently. If you have the funds to support occasional donations to worthwhile causes with a transhumanist bent, Mark's fundraising effort is one to seriously consider.

http://www.physorg.com/news114773905.html

James Thomson of the University of Wisconsin at Madison and a Japanese team lead by Shinya Yamanaka of Kyoto University transformed skin cells into stem cells by using a retrovirus to insert four different genes.

According to Thomson, "The new method is fairly straightforward and can be repeated by standard labs with relative ease." The details will be published Thursday in the online edition of Science magazine.

--Aron

Two new university-based transhumanist clubs have Facebook groups:

• Brown University: Brown Transhumanists
• Cambridge University: Cambridge University Transhumanist Society

A list of these and other clubs can be found on the h+ "Links" page.  If you are interested in starting a transhumanist or related club at your own school, check out our "Start a Club" and "Start an h+ Chapter" articles, contact us at hadmin {at] hplusclub {dot} com, or contact other clubs.  Most of our flyers are available for your own use, and the presentations posted to some of our meeting pages might be useful as you develop your own schedule of topics.

Although the following news appears to have been confirmed by Craig Venter, it should be viewed as rumor until there is an official announcement. The Guardian is reporting that Venter and a team of scientists have created artificial life, in the form of an artificial chromosome that can make use of another organism's cellular machinery for replication and metabolism, but will effectively be a new, artificial species. According to The Guardian an official announcement is "expected within weeks and could come as early as Monday."

Source: The Guardian, "I am creating artificial life, declares US gene pioneer", Saturday, October 06, 2007