Blood testing and dialysis / filtration devices have made significant strides in the past decade. After meeting the goals of nephrology and disfunctional liver replacement the next steps should be for the commercial development of consumer accessible devices that could periodically cleanse a person's bloodstream of any negative agents that the liver couldn't.
Things that could be filtered are industrial toxins, carcinogens, cholesterol, harmful bacteria, prions, viruses, free floating "extra-cellular junk", etc. While screening the blood of negative compounds, periodic tests could also be done for a wide range of ailments. White blood count could even be monitored to give you a heads up even for upcoming colds and flus or indicate hidden infections. Proactive measures could be taken as well to up or down regulate hormone levels that seem inadequate, essential vitamins and mineral levels could be cirulated if needed. This mechanism could also eventually be used for more efficient drug delivery and when the technology arrives, nanobot delivery. Corrective agents (drugs) could be introduced that attack problem areas (cancers, accumulated junk, etc) on an as needed basis though this will be a bit further out.
We are nearing a point where dialysis machines are going to match that of what our kidneys and liver can do. From there it is very likely that these devices and techniques can become even more efficient. I see this area of progress as one of the more practical and realistic areas where significant gains can be made to longevity in the very near-term.
Edited by maestro949, 30 May 2006 - 08:47 PM.
