Posted by Tracy (195.147.150.198) on June 08, 2000 at 05:10:04:
They say that they are 90% there with completely mapping the Human Geneome (DNA).
Im posting this because another group of specialists in the UK think they may be able to "switch off" the gene that causes cancer. If they 'switch it off' then it won't be able to trigger the cells to grow abnormally and become the cancerous growths they do.
If they think they can do this for cancer, and possibly other diseases like cystic fibrosis (apprently the group studying that gene think they may be close to a breakthrough). My question is could they do that for CH? I mean am I safe in assuming that there is a gene responsible that causes the hyperthalamus to grow denser in OUR heads than someone elses?
Can someone answer that? Id be interested in any theories.
BTW, the UK team are publishing their findings on the net as fast as they can get them, I only hope they succeed with the whole DNA sequencer. The reason for this is that an American team is being funded by a pharmaceutical company to do the same thing. However, the company concerned wants the information kept secret, so they can patent it when the DNA sequencer is finally completed. Though how you can patent what makes us human, I don't know. They feel that way, if anyone wants information on particular genes that cause a specific disease, they would have to pay for it. Apparently, we're talking telephone numbers here in the big bucks stakes. However, if its on the internet it's considered public information and therefore the company concerned could not then put out a patent on what would, technically, be global information. I think it's sad that our whole existence is now just a HUGE dollar sign to someone!
Take care and God bless,
Tracy