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29/03/2004
Research in genetic disorders gets £4m funding boost
The government has said that it will plough £3 million into clinical trials and research into the genetic disorders of haemophilia, muscular dystrophy and childhood blindness.
A further £1 million will be used to support research into the long-term safety of some techniques used in gene therapy, the Health Secretary John Reid said today. The successful bidders for the research funding were also announced today.
Many inherited diseases are the result of a missing or damaged gene – and rather than trying to treat the symptoms, gene therapy aims to correct the underlying problem by introducing healthy copies of these genes, or other beneficial genetic material into patient's cells.
The funding is part of a wider £50 million strategy to harness the potential of advances in genetics to the benefit of NHS patients, announced in last year's Genetics White Paper.
The government believes that gene therapy holds "great promise" for treating many common diseases, such as cancer and heart disease, as well as offering hope to those with inherited conditions such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Dr Reid said: "Investment saves lives - that is why it is vital that we fund research into the latest cutting edge treatments such as gene therapy so that Britain remains at the forefront of medical research."
Professor Norman Nevin, Chair of the Gene Therapy Advisory Committee, said that the time was right for strategic public funding of gene therapy research and safety studies.
He added: "Gene therapy has unparalleled potential to develop treatments for patients with genetic disease from cancer and heart disease, through to rarer inherited disorders such as muscular dystrophy, childhood blindness and haemophilia. This welcome funding will help to bridge the gap between laboratory and clinic for pioneering and innovative studies."
(gmcg)
A further £1 million will be used to support research into the long-term safety of some techniques used in gene therapy, the Health Secretary John Reid said today. The successful bidders for the research funding were also announced today.
Many inherited diseases are the result of a missing or damaged gene – and rather than trying to treat the symptoms, gene therapy aims to correct the underlying problem by introducing healthy copies of these genes, or other beneficial genetic material into patient's cells.
The funding is part of a wider £50 million strategy to harness the potential of advances in genetics to the benefit of NHS patients, announced in last year's Genetics White Paper.
The government believes that gene therapy holds "great promise" for treating many common diseases, such as cancer and heart disease, as well as offering hope to those with inherited conditions such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Dr Reid said: "Investment saves lives - that is why it is vital that we fund research into the latest cutting edge treatments such as gene therapy so that Britain remains at the forefront of medical research."
Professor Norman Nevin, Chair of the Gene Therapy Advisory Committee, said that the time was right for strategic public funding of gene therapy research and safety studies.
He added: "Gene therapy has unparalleled potential to develop treatments for patients with genetic disease from cancer and heart disease, through to rarer inherited disorders such as muscular dystrophy, childhood blindness and haemophilia. This welcome funding will help to bridge the gap between laboratory and clinic for pioneering and innovative studies."
(gmcg)
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24 June 2003
£50m funding unveiled for NHS gene research
The government is set to promote the development of genetics within the NHS following its decision to plough £50 million into the scheme over the next three years. The White Paper 'Our Inheritance, Our Future - Realising the potential of genetics in the NHS' sets out the government's strategy.
£50m funding unveiled for NHS gene research
The government is set to promote the development of genetics within the NHS following its decision to plough £50 million into the scheme over the next three years. The White Paper 'Our Inheritance, Our Future - Realising the potential of genetics in the NHS' sets out the government's strategy.
10 July 2009
Gene Defect Linked To Allergy, BMJ Finds
Defects in a particular gene - the filaggrin gene - are associated with a significantly increased risk of developing allergic disorders such as eczema, rhinitis, and asthma, concludes a study published on bmj.com today. Allergic diseases have increased in recent decades and now affect up to one in three children in economically developed countries.
Gene Defect Linked To Allergy, BMJ Finds
Defects in a particular gene - the filaggrin gene - are associated with a significantly increased risk of developing allergic disorders such as eczema, rhinitis, and asthma, concludes a study published on bmj.com today. Allergic diseases have increased in recent decades and now affect up to one in three children in economically developed countries.
04 January 2005
£2.5m to support cystic fibrosis gene therapy research
Health Minister, Lord Warner, has announced the winning bids for £2.5 million to support further research into gene therapy for cystic fibrosis (CF).
£2.5m to support cystic fibrosis gene therapy research
Health Minister, Lord Warner, has announced the winning bids for £2.5 million to support further research into gene therapy for cystic fibrosis (CF).
02 August 2004
Gene therapy trial for cancer patients gets green light
The green light has been given for a large clinical trial of a new gene therapy treatment for patients with Glioma - one of the most aggressive types of brain tumours for which there is currently no cure. The new gene therapy treatment involves injecting Herpes simplex virus into the brain tumours of Glioma patients.
Gene therapy trial for cancer patients gets green light
The green light has been given for a large clinical trial of a new gene therapy treatment for patients with Glioma - one of the most aggressive types of brain tumours for which there is currently no cure. The new gene therapy treatment involves injecting Herpes simplex virus into the brain tumours of Glioma patients.
19 June 2006
New embryo test for genetic diseases
A new embryo test has been developed which could help reduce the risk of couples at risk of serious genetic diseases of having an affected baby. The test, which was developed by a team from Guy and St Thomas' NHS Trust in London, is being launched at a fertility conference in Prague on Monday.
New embryo test for genetic diseases
A new embryo test has been developed which could help reduce the risk of couples at risk of serious genetic diseases of having an affected baby. The test, which was developed by a team from Guy and St Thomas' NHS Trust in London, is being launched at a fertility conference in Prague on Monday.
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