Cancer Cure Within 10 Years?

[Zacs-Master]

Pretty bold claims:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016/09/20/microsoft-will-solve-cancer-within-10-years-by-reprogramming-dis/

[Old_Geezer]

I wish them luck but the goal is always just around the corner.

I guess it must get conquered sometime though.

[EDDIE51]

Cancer is not just one disease it is a whole range of over 2,000 conditions for all parts of the body from skin to bone,from brain to bowel. One cure will not cure them all!

[Old_Geezer]

"Then we will probably have a century free of cancer."
After which it comes back ?!

[Zacs-Master]

Eddie, not sure you've read the article but it does say 'The researchers are even working on a computer made from DNA which could live inside cells and look for faults in bodily networks, like cancer. If it spotted cancerous chances it would reboot the system and clear out the diseased cells.'

I think that goes for all diseased cells.

[Bertrum]

I’m sure Microsoft will complete that task within the ten years. They will first release a beta version in which they will not listen to any feedback then once sure it is fully copyrighted complete with bugs, tracking software and various apps they then release to public. There will be numerous updates and within twelve months they will release SP1 .

[naomi24]

What an exciting prospect!

[barney15c]

Being controversial here - but do you think that there are some conditions (not necessarily cancer) but say the common cold that cures have been found, but the financial impact on profits for the drug companies on cold remedies and other associated products are so great that they are keeping a lid on it. Just my 2p worth.

[Zacs-Master]

I'd rather not go into conspiracy theories.

[naomi24]

Interestingly, the earliest human cancer has recently been discovered in a 1.7 million year old bone. That b.....d disease has been around for a very long time!

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/07/oldest-human-cancer-disease-origins-tumor-fossil-science/

[jim360]

"... do you think that there are some conditions ... that cures have been found, but the financial impact on profits for the drug companies on cold remedies and other associated products are so great that they are keeping a lid on it?"

No.

* * *

I don't think this will work in ten years either, but then again I don't think I'd ever be more pleased about being wrong. Best of luck to them, and even if the bold aim of total success is missed then that could still represent a huge breakthrough in cancer treatments.

[Zacs-Master]

Interesting Naomi. Does this suggest that, as recently claimed, modern diet and lifestyle have no bearing on who gets cancer and that its just a random generation of rogue cells?

[Bertrum]

I’m sure the answer will be you would be more susceptible if you don’t have a healthy diet

[jim360]

As recently claimed where?

But anyway, it's a misunderstanding to imply that such-and-such a thing "causes cancer", or that not doing that activity or eating that product therefore doesn't. There's always an underlying risk that random malignant mutations would occur, and there's always a reason to suppose that the more damage is done to cells (by, say, smoking) could have an effect on the rate of such mutations or the chance of them occurring. The healthiest person on the planet could still get cancer and be horribly unlucky; some chain smokers who drink a huge amount while piling on the pounds or standing next to a pile of uranium might never get cancer at all.

It stands to reason that you want to minimise your chances of "winning" the cancer lottery, and reduce or avoid entirely the aggravating factors.

[naomi24]

Zacs-Master, That’s an interesting thought. Clearly the disease has existed for a very long time, but perhaps our chosen lifestyle simply increases or decreases our chances of succumbing to it.

[Zacs-Master]

Naomi, Johns Hopkins seem to think so. See the paragraph 'Can your results help explain what causes cancer?'

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/bad_luck_of_random_mutations_plays_predominant_role_in_cancer_study_shows

[naomi24]

It seems pretty logical to me ...

[ToraToraTora]

is this the Microsoft that cannot update it's own software without rebooting the kin machine? right oh! Given the unadulterated sheet that passes for software for MS would you want Microsoft's "programmed/smart" DNA swilling about in your body? Perlease!

[youngmafbog]

All would be fine until you got the blue screen of death !

[ToraToraTora]

just die and come back to life YMB!

[Mamyalynne]

I doubt a decade will see a cure but it's a fascinating use of technology and must surely bring some benefits to this research.