Serious diseases genes revealed:

[Praxius]

BBC NEWS | Health | Serious diseases genes revealed

A major advance in understanding the genetics behind several of the world's most common diseases has been reported. The landmark Wellcome Trust study analysed DNA from the blood of 17,000 people to find genetic differences. They found new genetic variants for depression, Crohn's disease, coronary heart disease, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 and 2 diabetes. The remarkable findings, published in Nature, have been hailed as a new chapter in medical science. It is hoped they will pave the way for research into new treatments and genetic tests. The £9m Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium (WTCCC) involved 50 leading research groups analysing the DNA from 2,000 patients for each of the seven conditions and 3,000 healthy volunteers. Genome-wide They used "gene chips" to scan hundreds of thousands of DNA markers to identify common genetic differences across the whole genome. Many of the genes identified by the team of 200 scientists were in parts of the genome not previously thought to be associated with disease. In the future it may be possible to test people for combinations of genes to find out their lifetime risk of a disease, which would enable them to modify their lifestyle or undergo screening. One of the most exciting finds was a previously unknown gene common to type 1 diabetes and Crohn's disease, a type of inflammatory bowel disorder, suggesting that they share similar biological pathways. The team also unexpectedly found a process known as autophagy - a process of clearing bacteria from within cells - is important in the development of Crohn's disease. And in type 1 diabetes, they identified several genetic regions that increase the risk of developing the condition. The WTCCC project has already played a part in recent reports of an obesity gene, three new genes linked to type 2 diabetes, and a genetic region on chromosome 9 associated with coronary heart disease. Major advances Professor Peter Donnelly, chair of the WTCCC and professor of statistical science at Oxford University, said the research was a "new dawn" and they had learnt more in the past 12 months than they had in 15 years. "If you think of the genome as very long road that you are trying to find your way along in the dark, previously we have only been able to turn lights on in a small number of places, but now we can turn on lights in a large number of places - in this case half a million lights." "Many of the most common diseases are very complex, involving both 'nature' and 'nurture', genes interacting with our environment and lifestyles." "By identifying the genes underlying these conditions, our study should enable scientists to understand better how disease occurs, which people are most at risk and, in time, to produce more effective, more personalised treatments." Dr Mark Walport, director of the Wellcome Trust, added that all the data are being made publicly available to ensure that scientists across the globe have immediate access to the results. "We have taken a big step forward in understanding the genetics underlying some of the most prevalent diseases affecting human health." Matt Hunt, Science Information Manager at Diabetes UK, said: "The WTCCC has been an excellent example of collaborative working and has produced some exciting results about the genetics of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes."

Sounds like good news..... but are we also stepping into a new way of life that will be better or worse?

[Captain Cardio]

If they do end up modifying peoples DNA to prevent these diseases from getting passed on, thats probably alright, so long as they draw the line there. It might get bad if its a legal requirement for people to have their genetic diseases removed though.

[Technosoul]

Another angle that needs research would be what factors might influence genes to change after birth. Or confirmations that genes created at or near conception cannot change due to additional influences later on.
The blood tests were on more mature people.

Could diets or chemicals have caused the variants found in the blood tests at a time after birth? Perhaps at age 8. Can emotions effect the gene structure? The environment a person dwells in? If they can genetically re-structure the gene responsible what will insure that those other (possible) after-birth factors will not just change it back into it's deformed state.

Are those genes constructed at conception dependant upon triggers to cause the illnesses - re: cigarette smoking - or would you get cancer no matter what additional factors might be present later in life to trigger the illness?

Another possible problem is jumping the gun to make chemical drugs to 'cure' the gene in question. What effect would that drug have on other genes. Have they found simular genes in white mice for long term tests relative with such drugs or treatments.

[Technosoul]

Quote by: Captain Cardio If they do end up modifying peoples DNA to prevent these diseases from getting passed on, thats probably alright, so long as they draw the line there. It might get bad if its a legal requirement for people to have their genetic diseases removed though.

There were talking about the "gay" gene. What if they found the gene that causes people to become Religious fundamentalist political leaders ... can we use it to create a new world order? Through genetics we can get the U.N. to have all new borns tested globally and if defects are found - fix the gene. No more Bin Ladens or Bushes. We can make tigers into gentle pussy cats so we do not have to fear them anymore. Code name: Project Adam and Eve.

And getting rid of genes that make people get ill or to die at an eary age, or what the heck. find the gene that activates "ageing" by turning off those harmones at the production centers of the brain.

The DNA structure is like the Tree of Life and the knowledge from that tree can make scientists like unto the gods who created Eden so that we can have paradise on earth. For the serpent like structure of the DNA promises Good News.

[rmnunez]

People whose DNA samples revealed the presence of genetically transmitable diseases could be sterilised.

[Technosoul]

Quote by: rmnunez People whose DNA samples revealed the presence of genetically transmitable diseases could be sterilised.

One big fact is that historically Hitler had some ideas about the genetic purificaition of the human race. And conducted some research that was repulsive. (to say the least).

Modern genetic research does not want to be haunted by the shadows of Hitler nor do they want people to tag them with the "hilter card".

Needless to say a lot of possiblities that gene research could make realistic are not spoken about and pushed "out of sight and out of mind".

Your remark is not helping them out much, nor mine I guess.

Like nukes and nuclear energy we want to look on the bright side and think about the good things that new genetic technology might offer.

Without need of a crystal ball I can predict that future news stories will report about protesters who are trying to ban the research labs from
perfecting their science, motivated by fear and for religious ideas about "not playing god". Genetics is a word that was taken from the name of the first chapter of the Bible - having to do with origns and creation. To help prevent such protesting I have introduced a post in the religion section of Volconvo called "science & sin". A spin-off from this news story.