The World in 2030

312 The World in 2030
have an obligation to ensure universal access to interventions
that improve cognitive performance. An
analogy might be drawn to public libraries and basic
education. 540
Rejuvenation and Longevity
If the unborn children of 2030 will be protected from
genetic enhancement by law, there will be nothing to stop
consenting adults from seeking to medically enhance or
rejuvenate themselves.
By 2030 stem cell medicine 541 will be mature and widely
practised. A ‘stem cell’ is an early stage human cell which
retains the ability to grow into any type of human cell – a
heart cell, a brain cell, a skin cell, etc. These properties are
now being exploited to grow replacement parts and organs
for humans.
In ‘Extreme Future’ James Canton listed some of the
benefits expected from stem cell medicine by 2030:
• New organs, including hearts and lungs
• New bone growth for legs, arms and backs
• New sensory functions and optic nerves to restore
eyesight
• New cancer treatments
• New nerves to heal muscles and to restore movement
• New cells to offset the aging brain 542