Title: “Genes Point to Risk for Silent Killer: Aortic Aneurysms”

Date of Publication: November 18, 2010

Author: Rachel Rettner
Source: My Health News Daily

http://www.myhealthnewsdaily.com/genes-risk-factors-thoracic-aortic-aneurysm-101118-0762/

Byron Levan

Class: GN 301

Section: 002

Summery Report Number: 3

Due Date: Wednesday, 1 September 2010

“I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this assignment”

Byron M. Levan
 Summary Report 3

People in all cultures suffer from many different diseases. Some diseases are influenced entirely

by environmental factors. Other diseases stem from genetics. Yet most diseases stem from a mixture of

the two. Aortic aneurysms are an example of this type of disease. Both environment and genetics play a

big role in determining if a person will develop the condition. Environment is very difficult to study as

no one ever experiences the exact same environment. Genetics however can be studied and compared

easier across like study groups.

Scientists at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston have found genes that may be related to

aortic aneurysms. These aneurysms lead to the death of many individuals. Many times if an aortic

aneurysm does occur doctors can fix the problem successfully and avoid death. The problem with these

aneurysms is that symptoms are often undetectable until it is too late. These researchers hope that by

isolating particular genes they will be able to determine which people are at risk for this condition.

Those that are at a higher risk to the condition could be screened more often and the condition could be

prevented before they cause serious injury.

The scientists noted that the disorder was particularly difficult to pinpoint problem genes due to

the complexity of the genetic involvement. The scientists found that around 47 copy number variants

were responsible for the condition. These variants were then narrowed down to several genes that were

particularly associated with the patients who had had this disease. The discovery of these genes could

be vital in both understanding the disorder and how to prevent it.

The scientists discovered that a series of genes can cause the smooth muscles in the aorta to

malfunction. This malfunction weakens the strength of the aorta walls and can allow the blood pressure

to balloon the artery wall so that rupture poses a serious threat to the life of the individual. The gene

was located after a study of patients who had suffered from the condition. The study performed by

these scientists from Baylor College of Medicine was repeated and similar results were found,

strengthening the idea that genetics can be used to prevent deaths caused by this disorder.
 I think using genetics to discover genes responsible for any disease, disorder, or problems

facing the human species is vital to medicine today. I hope that scientists will be able to do this with

more genes and diseases in the future. I strongly feel that as our medicine has been slowly evolving we

have gotten to the point that using genetics remains as one of the only steps forward. Hopefully in the

future we will be able to increase the prevention and treatment of these problems using genetic therapy.

On the other hand I also see using genetics to solve diseases can lead to bigger problems in the

future. We all love our family members and friends and greatly want to decrease pain and suffering.

Sometimes we only are able to see that through our limited emotional capacities. Solving diseases can

lead to overpopulation which will cause hunger problems and other forms of suffering. As our

populations grow our natural resources become more and more strained. Disease, as horribly

destructive as it may be, and as much emotional turmoil as it may cause does serve a vital function.

Sometimes I feel as if there should be less of a focus on curing disease and instead focus on fighting

poverty and social injustice so that no matter how short life is, we at least are able to “live” life.