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18/12/2008
Fears Of New Mad Cow Disease Strain Raised
A new version of the human form of mad cow disease could cause a second wave of deaths across Britain, experts have warned.
Professor Chris Higgins highlighted a case currently being investigated by scientists where a patient is dying from a variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD), who appears to have a different gene type from previous British victims.
Prof Higgins, who chairs the Government's Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee, said if confirmed up to this new type could affect 350 people.
Scientists say the genes they have inherited from their mother and father - either M or a V - determine a person's vulnerability to vCJD.
During the first wave of vCJD – which was caused by eating infected beef products in the 1980s and early 1990s - saw 164 deaths, peaking at 28 in 2000.
British victims of the disease have only possessed the gene MM, which is about 42% of the population. They are thought to be more susceptible than those with one of each - the MVs - who are thought to be more resistant, and comprise 47% of Britons.
Speaking to BBC2s Newsnight, Prof Higgins said: "This case has not yet been confirmed, but assuming it is, we would estimate that the number of MV cases at a maximum would be about 300 to 350.
"That, I have to emphasise, is a maximum estimate, because all the studies in animals suggest that MV gene types are likely to be far less infective than the MM gene type where we have seen the cases up to now. So it is probably between 50 and maybe 350 new cases."
(JM)
Professor Chris Higgins highlighted a case currently being investigated by scientists where a patient is dying from a variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD), who appears to have a different gene type from previous British victims.
Prof Higgins, who chairs the Government's Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee, said if confirmed up to this new type could affect 350 people.
Scientists say the genes they have inherited from their mother and father - either M or a V - determine a person's vulnerability to vCJD.
During the first wave of vCJD – which was caused by eating infected beef products in the 1980s and early 1990s - saw 164 deaths, peaking at 28 in 2000.
British victims of the disease have only possessed the gene MM, which is about 42% of the population. They are thought to be more susceptible than those with one of each - the MVs - who are thought to be more resistant, and comprise 47% of Britons.
Speaking to BBC2s Newsnight, Prof Higgins said: "This case has not yet been confirmed, but assuming it is, we would estimate that the number of MV cases at a maximum would be about 300 to 350.
"That, I have to emphasise, is a maximum estimate, because all the studies in animals suggest that MV gene types are likely to be far less infective than the MM gene type where we have seen the cases up to now. So it is probably between 50 and maybe 350 new cases."
(JM)
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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.
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.
09 January 2009
First Breast Cancer Gene-Free Baby Born
The first British baby genetically-selected to be free of the breast cancer gene, has been born. Doctors at University College London said the girl and her mother were doing "very well". The baby grew from an embryo screened to ensure it did not contain the faulty BRCA 1 gene, which passes cancer down generations.
First Breast Cancer Gene-Free Baby Born
The first British baby genetically-selected to be free of the breast cancer gene, has been born. Doctors at University College London said the girl and her mother were doing "very well". The baby grew from an embryo screened to ensure it did not contain the faulty BRCA 1 gene, which passes cancer down generations.
29 March 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.
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.
29 October 2014
DEC To Launch Appeal For Ebola Crisis
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) is to launch an appeal for the Ebola Crisis in West Africa. This is the first time in its 50-year history that the DEC has appealed in response to a disease outbreak.
DEC To Launch Appeal For Ebola Crisis
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) is to launch an appeal for the Ebola Crisis in West Africa. This is the first time in its 50-year history that the DEC has appealed in response to a disease outbreak.
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