Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder that, according to the Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, affects over 10 million Americans (2011). According to Peter Crosta, the disease is present from birth (2009). This essay will outline the complications of CF, living with the disorder and the prognosis associated with it. .
To begin with, this genetic disease is acquired when two "defective copies of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator," or CFTR for short, are inherited from each parent (Crosta, 2009). Because it is a recessive gene disorder, if two carriers of the disease produce offspring their children will have a 25% chance of not inheriting the disease, a 50% chance that they will be a carrier and a 25% chance that they will inherit the disease (Lee, Marks and Shiel, 2012). .
CFTR is the gene in our bodies that produces our mucus, sweat and stomach acids (Crosta, 2009). The bodies of these people with the disorder go into overdrive and produce "abnormally thick and sticky" mucus, which builds up in their lungs making it extremely difficult to breath (Zieve and Hadjiliadis, 2011). In the tubes leading out of the pancreas, where digestive enzymes are produced, abnormally high amounts of mucus are accumulated in patients with cystic fibrosis, making it difficult for these enzymes to reach the small intestine (National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute, 2011). Thus, people who suffer from cystic fibrosis have difficulty gaining and maintaining weight and as a result, grow more slowly than the average person. Also, with their secretory glands producing abnormal amounts of mucus, the sweat of patients with this disease tends to be saltier (National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute, 2011). As a result of these factors, people with this disease are more prone to lung infections, like pneumonia, which is one of the main causes of death for people with CF.
Cystic Fibrosis Cystic fibrosis is the most common lethal inherited disease, affecting about 30,000 patients worldwide. ... A pair of genes that are not working properly causes cystic fibrosis. ... The advantage is only in lowering the viscosity of the mucus and reducing future damage. ... There is no cure for cystic fibrosis. ... Research in the field of cystic fibrosis continues at a rapid pace....
It is a key that can open up endless possibilities for the future. ... Diseases such as Cystic Fibrosis, Muscular Distrophy, Autism, Huntington's disease and Phenylketonuria. ... With cloning we can put bulky plastic prosthetics in the past and welcome living prosthetics made from the patients own tissue. ... Most cons presented by the media is usually biased and outplayed. ...
With this information we see that past events contribute to one's behavior, which proves that an alcoholic will undoubtedly affect the people they are closest to. ... Prematurity, low birth rates; characteristic facial features and brain damage may all be present at birth as a result of FAS while learning, behavioral, and emotional problems are common in adolescents and adults. ... Countless babies are born with Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. ... It is not their fault but they can prevent it by not surrendering to peer-pressure and ta...
This procedure will make the future progress for scientific technology more useful. ... Due to the advancement in technology, the use of cloning will be helpful for scientific and medical research in the future. ... Another problem that might arise in the future is the number of children a person will be allowed to produce. ...
To some, this is a scary, unnerving thought, but to others this is an exciting new step into our future. ... There are also legal factors in presenting a new medical procedure. ... Whether or not it includes genetic engineering, we, the people, have the power to shape our own future. ... In fact, the biggest focus of genetic engineering or therapy is on finding a cure for diseases such as Severe Combined Immune Deficiency, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia. ... Would we still be living in a world of the past? ...
The ruling in the Daubert case said that the acceptance by the scientific community is not enough by itself to allow certain scientific techniques into court as evidence, especially given the reality that a suspects entire future could hang in the balance of a scientific finding. ... This dilemma can easily be associated to the "social contract" presented by Thomas Hobbes. ... A person must weigh the advantages of having a past, present, or future criminal's DNA profile on database with the disadvantages of having one's own. ... Ethicists warn that genetic tests could temp...
Gene therapy is presented as one of many products to help generate normalization. ... On the other hand, the goals of medicine present a strong claim. ... Tony McGleenan explains in the Journal of Medical Ethics that "gene therapy has been sanctioned because it offers tremendous therapeutic potential for seriously ill people . . . and can eradicate the disease from future generations- (3). ... In an online article, Leroy Walters describes the ultimate hopes in future research of gene therapy to be "prenatal interventions to prevent severe and irreversible damage to fetuses and gene transfer...
In the past, this disease was one of the leading causes of death in children under 5 years old. ... Some scientists believe that hydroxyurea may work by stimulating the production of fetal hemoglobin, which is present in the fetus and in newborn babies. ... In the near future, The Sickle Cell Disease Association hopes to be able to use this drug in children. ...
Child Sexual Abuse It is often said that children are our future. ... Over the past ten to fifteen years, child sexual abuse has surfaced as a painful issue for Canadians. ... Ann Wicks, who was in the care of Albert and Alice Weller (Tammy's final home) revealed the abuse to a nurse at the Janeway hospital and she in turn told a cystic fibrosis camp coordinator, Ruth Howse. ... The social worker, Edith Decker, who was present during Ann's testimony was unable to make contact with the Weller family due to other workload commitments. ...
