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Treatments and Experiments

SCOTTISH SCIENTISTS IN BREAKTHROUGH ON DANGER GENES

Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Researchers have discovered that single genes can be linked to multiple diseasesincluding breast and prostate cancer, lymphoma and high cholesterol.

A study by the University of Edinburgh found that one in five genes are linked to more than one disease.

The researchers said the discovery that diseases are genetically connected could help in developing  medicines and could help predict and avoid potential side-effects.

Dr Evropi Theodoratou,of the University’s Centre for Population Health Sciences, said that genetic screening could eventually be used to give patients an early warning that they are at risk of developing diseases.

She said: “Showing that genes are linked to more than one disease is very important.

"We have shown that this is a common finding and not just an exception.

“Anyone who goes for genetic testing should be aware that in future any information they receive about individual genes could have wider implications than they or the clinician immediately realise.

By Dean Herbert

Source:http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/283269