Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
cell treatment, actually existing treatments using adult stem cells are
focused on diseases most associated with ageing populations. Given
that the conjunction between population ageing and the biotechnology
commercial process is producing a judicious focus on the most
lucrative markets, it might be expected that wealthy ageing consumers
will be the core patrons of stem cell technologies as they seek
improved quality of life.
The global market in anti-ageing medicine is expanding rapidly.
The American Academy of Anti-Ageing Medicine reported in 2009
that US-based market research company Global Industry Analysts
Inc. suggests that the global market for anti-ageing medicine is
expected to reach nearly US$300 billion by 2015 (
http://www.
worldhealth.net
). The same year, another US-based market research
company, BCC Research, found that the growth rate for anti-ageing
products and services is projected at 11.1 per cent (
http://www.
bccresearch.com
). The large number of reports like these available
from commercial market research companies indicates that the anti-
ageing market is big business for the developed economies.
A preview of the BCC Research report shows a category breakdown
into appearance (face, skin, hair, body), disease (prevention and
treatment) and fitness (gym, spa and massage services) (
http://www.
bccresearch.blogspot.com
).
These reports highlight one of the more problematic issues around
the anti-ageing market, namely that there are conflicting definitions
around what counts as an anti-ageing treatment. While the industry
is readily defined by the categories used in the market research
reports, bio-gerontologists, health sociologists and other
commentators suggest that it is not at all obvious what might be
included in the definition of anti-ageing medicine (cf. Arking et al.,
2003). Critics of the anti-ageing industry, for example, suggest that
much of what is sold in the market is designed to exploit the
credibility of willing consumers (Arking et al., 2003). Alternatively,
supporters argue that research into the biological causes of ageing
is an important part of reducing the suffering of people with
age-related conditions (Arking et al., 2003).
Perhaps unsurprisingly, new developments in biotechnology are
increasingly being targeted at the global anti-ageing market. Whether
