Medical genetics
Article Abstract:
The Human Genome Project, an international project to map the human gene, has brought great advances in medical genetics. Identifying genes causing rare inherited disorders provides insights into more common, noninherited forms of the same disease. This has proved true for breast cancer, diabetes and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Disease genes have also been isolated from regions of the chromosome genetically linked to particular diseases. The genes for colon cancer, Alzheimer's disease, some types of retinitis pigmentosa and one kind of mental retardation have been discovered using this approach. Changes in the size of an unstable DNA sequence cause an inherited form of muscular dystrophy. Since there is no effective treatment for muscular dystrophy, physicians debate the cost-benefit of widespread screening. Researchers have inserted normal genes into mutant cells, but modifying the effects of abnormal genes with drugs may have greater long-term impact on health.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1992
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Potential cancer therapy with the fragile histidine triad gene: Review of the preclinical studies. (REVIEW)
Article Abstract:
The fragile histidine triad gene may be a good target for gene therapy to treat or even prevent cancer. This gene is very susceptible to environmental carcinogens, and studies of some cancer biopsies show the gene has been damaged. Research on cancer cell lines shows that reintroducing a normal gene can stop tumor growth.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 2001
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