New research by Roger H. Reeves, PhD, a professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, shows that the genetic roots of Down syndrome may protect against cancer. The full article, “Down Syndrome May Curb Cancer,” reads, in part:
“If there were no such thing as Down syndrome, we probably wouldn’t have found this because it wouldn’t make a lot of sense to take these oncogenes that we thought were genes that cause cancer and try to express them at high levels to try to prevent cancer. But that’s what happens” in their experiment, says Reeves.
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Random Thinking » Blog Archive » Down syndrome fights cancer // January 4, 2008 at 5:44 pm |
[...] over at Pinwheels pointed out this article over at WebMD, Down Syndrome May Curb Cancer. The focus of the article is [...]
Stephanie Meredith // January 5, 2008 at 1:29 am |
I love Pat Bauer’s phrase “genetic diversity;” it perfectly encapsulates this surging movement that people with Down syndrome and other conditions be recognized as vital members of society. I’m glad to hear someone else found it as meaningful as I did.