The common thought of diseases such as autism and schizophrenia would be that the main cause is family history. Now, studies show that they may not always be a good idea. This study was led by scientists from the University of Montreal who concluded that idea. Their findings show that new mutations, which are changes or of a cell's DNA, have a key role in determinating these diseases. One of the scientists, Guy Rouleau, mentioned that they had found "an increased frequency of severe de novo (new) mutations in critical brain genes in both of these diseases." It is those harmful new mutations that are beginning to explain the cause of those diseases. To test this experiment, the team of scientists studies 400 genes in patients with those disorders. And as expected, there was an overflow of these new gene mutations. In addition, results showed that DNA taken directly from the patient's blood was more precise as opposed to DNA taken from the patient's cells.
This topic relates to biology and science because it talks about the harmful effects of gene mutations, which play a definite role in causing any mishaps of the human body, derived from biology. Gene mutations affect many, many people, and they're often put aside at times. This study shows that a new revolution of gene mutations in being the cause of disorders such as autism and schizophrenia which family history has always been the first indicator and realizing how it arrived.
This could have an affect on many of us. It could be personal, maybe we know someone close to us with these disorders and not knowing why family history was the first concept. It's also to inform us and keep us up to date with any new findings whether it be for these specific diseases or any others. It's also another breakthrough in science, and as scientists continue to further this study.. who knows what they'll find next!
Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100826122610.htm
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