Darci & all, don't be afraid to ask technical questions of this breakthrough because it is a bit difficult to understand to those not familiar with genetic disorders and how they work. But Darci, your question gets a bit too technical concerning scrambled DNA, apoptosis, and other big words. Basically a cell may become malignant when a potentially cancer-causing gene is translocated and reinsterted into a highly active part of the DNA. Causes include mutations, chemical carcinogens, radiation, oncognenic viruses, epidemiologic factors, & stress. The cancer cell is derived from a normal cell that has lost control over cell reproduction and is thereby transformed from a normal cell to a cancer cell.
GERON (GERN)'s research located the protein that makes up the enzyme telomerase responsible for keeping healthy cells "young" as they divide. Without telomerase, cells grow visibly and functionally old, which scientists hope to reverse with cloned versions of the enzyme. Geron successfully cloned telomerase.
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CONCERNING THE STOCK:
As for the stock, like all biotechs, people are betting that GERN will successfully market a drug to combat aging and cancer. Or, that GERN will be aquired or taken-over by some big pharmeceutical company which is very likely. Remember, 2 years ago the biotech AGPH was only $10 and went straight to $100.
Cheers,
Chi-X has Spoken!
CEO
Chi International
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