Google X is working on a project to map perfect human health

[Shawn Knight]

Google X, the search giant's research and development arm, has set off on a new endeavor called the Baseline Study project. The goal of the project is to one day be able to detect health risks such as heart disease earlier in a patient's life such that preventative measures can be taken before it's too late.

The project is being led by Dr. Andrew Conrad, a molecular biologist credited with creating a cheap way to scan donated blood for HIV. He joined Google in March of last year and has put together a team of roughly 70 to 80 experts in the fields of biochemistry, imaging, molecular biology, optics and physiology.

The Baseline Study got under way earlier this summer through an unnamed clinical testing firm where doctors began collecting bodily fluids like urine, blood, saliva and tears from 175 anonymous volunteers. From there, Google will use its massive computing power to try and find patterns called biomarkers.

The hope is that these biomarkers will help researchers be able to detect health issues before a person even shows signs of them.

For example, a specific biomarker could reveal whether or not someone is able to break down fatty foods efficiently. Those that lack the biomarker could be at risk for early heart attacks in the future. By noticing this trait early and modifying their behavior now, they may be able to avoid the risk altogether.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/57539-google-x-is-working-on-a-project-to-map-perfect-human-health.html

 

[Guest]

This is a very interesting topic indeed. If possible can you continue to update more information regarding this topic.???

 

[TheBigFatClown]

So I can know if I am going to die of cancer years before I even get cancer? Sweet!!! I wonder if I would start chemotherapy years before I get the cancer if that would pre-emptively mean I can skip getting the cancer all together or if I would still have to wait to see actual physical manifestations of the cancer itself before starting chemotherapy and radiation.

Sometimes I think scientists have too much time on their hands. I could be wrong but wouldn't it be easier and more practical to address things as they happen in life instead of 20 years before? The 'Terminator' was a sci-fi movie people, not real life.

 

[cliffordcooley]

Sometimes I think scientists have too much time on their hands. I could be wrong but wouldn't it be easier and more practical to address things as they happen in life instead of 20 years before? The 'Terminator' was a sci-fi movie people, not real life.

I've often heard the term "If it is not broken don't fix it". And I've often heard the term "Preventative Maintenance" as well. I can't help but wonder if their attempt at "Preventative Maintenance" is countering the first term, "If it is not broken don't fix it" and the end result is breaking something that otherwise wasn't broken.

 

[davislane1]

So I can know if I am going to die of cancer years before I even get cancer? Sweet!!! I wonder if I would start chemotherapy years before I get the cancer if that would pre-emptively mean I can skip getting the cancer all together or if I would still have to wait to see actual physical manifestations of the cancer itself before starting chemotherapy and radiation.

Sometimes I think scientists have too much time on their hands. I could be wrong but wouldn't it be easier and more practical to address things as they happen in life instead of 20 years before? The 'Terminator' was a sci-fi movie people, not real life.

It has to do with managing probabilities. Preventative medicine effectively reduces the likelihood of you coming down with a disease or illness. In many cases, this is vastly cheaper and less impactful than having to deal with something once its already manifested.

For instance, let's say you have a family history of diabetes that leaves you with a 50% chance of developing the disease in your 40s. You doc says modifying your diet accordingly will reduce the chances to 15%. Would you rather cut the odds, or wait 'till your fingers start tingling and you can't feel your feet? The same could apply to a history of heart disease and taking an aspirin every day.

The misconception about preventative medicine is that acts like a magic bullet. It doesn't. It merely reduces risk.

 

[Guest]

If they knew when you'd develop cancer, they'd probably also have a good guess as to when it'll start developing in which case you could have a much simpler surgery to remove the small tumor and not need chemo at all.

That's way cheaper than waiting for things to get out of hand.

 

[fimbles]

Very interesting subject.

Since no two humans are identical in every way and there are conditions like autism that do not affect lifespan or health.

What exactly is a healthy human?

 

[misor]

What is wrong with google? ...has stolen the X from the defunct nokia X. Samsung better not drop the cheap galaxy y series or sony the z series.

By noticing this trait early and modifying their behavior now, they may be able to avoid the risk altogether.

this.
required for persons suffering from chronic diseases (diabetes, hypertension, etc): lifestyle modification, moderate activity (no more lazy couch), balanced diet (low fat, low salt)...

 

[ET3D]

Sometimes I think scientists have too much time on their hands. I could be wrong but wouldn't it be easier and more practical to address things as they happen in life instead of 20 years before?

Medical conditions are usually detected when it's too late. To use your example, sure it's helpful to know in advance that you might have cancer, but as not helpful as easily knowing that you already have cancer. Many cancers are detected when it's hard to treat them effectively. Finding biomarkers is meant to help detect health problems early on.

 

[Jad Chaar]

Sometimes I think scientists have too much time on their hands. I could be wrong but wouldn't it be easier and more practical to address things as they happen in life instead of 20 years before? The 'Terminator' was a sci-fi movie people, not real life.

I've often heard the term "If it is not broken don't fix it". And I've often heard the term "Preventative Maintenance" as well. I can't help but wonder if their attempt at "Preventative Maintenance" is countering the first term, "If it is not broken don't fix it" and the end result is breaking something that otherwise wasn't broken.

You pose a good point.

 

[ET3D]

I've often heard the term "If it is not broken don't fix it". And I've often heard the term "Preventative Maintenance" as well. I can't help but wonder if their attempt at "Preventative Maintenance" is countering the first term, "If it is not broken don't fix it" and the end result is breaking something that otherwise wasn't broken.

"If it is not broken don't fix it" is typically applied to cases where massive changes are made which end up making things worse. As a general rule, outside that scope, it's totally crap, and certainly shouldn't be applied in this case. The problem is that "not broken" can easily be interpreted how you like it. "Hey, I weigh just 150kg, I feel fine, exerting myself might cause damage. If it's not broken don't fix it." That kind of thing.

 

[Guest]

"..I wonder if I would start chemotherapy years before I get the cancer.."
Chemotherapy works by stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells, which grow and divide quickly. But it can also harm healthy cells that divide quickly.. So, even a patient with a cancer treated with chemo often got the side effects to their healthy cells. If you take chemo before the cancer is occur, then it will damages your cells rather than does any good to your body.. so, unfortunately we can't take chemo as pre-emptive strike to cancer.
I agree with cliff & Davislane about "preventative maintenance" and "managing probabilities", imho the best way to avoid cancer is we must reduce the risk of getting cancer by avoid everything that can trigger cancer manifestation (for example: smoking can cause lung cancer so dont smoke) and adopt a healthy lifestyle

 

[Jamesbrah]

It has to do with managing probabilities. Preventative medicine effectively reduces the likelihood of you coming down with a disease or illness. In many cases, this is vastly cheaper and less impactful than having to deal with something once its already manifested.

For instance, let's say you have a family history of diabetes that leaves you with a 50% chance of developing the disease in your 40s. You doc says modifying your diet accordingly will reduce the chances to 15%. Would you rather cut the odds, or wait 'till your fingers start tingling and you can't feel your feet? The same could apply to a history of heart disease and taking an aspirin every day.

The misconception about preventative medicine is that acts like a magic bullet. It doesn't. It merely reduces risk.

Couldn't agree more. It's all about reducing chances. In no way is this supposed to be a way to avoid the problems all together, but using this information could really help a lot of people.