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There are certain gene mutations that predispose a person to cancer. Through the miracle of modern medicine, genetic testing is available to identify gene mutations that may lead to cancer. A person armed with information about being predisposed to developing cancer can take preventative measures in some cases to prevent its development. If you have an adopted child without much medical history, then genetic testing may help answer some of your questions. For example, women with a harmful mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene have a 15 to 54 percent lifetime risk of ovarian cancer. These mutations increase susceptibility to cancers of the ovary, fallopian tube, and abdominal lining. Surgical removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes is often advised to women with this mutation when they are about 35 years old. Risk of developing these cancers may be reduced by up to 80 percent by having the suggested surgical procedures.
Those of you planning to add to your family through a surrogate or In Vitro fertilization may find additional interest in gene mutation identification. Apparently, specialists may be able to identify gene mutations in embryos before they are implanted in a uterus. This may enable those who carry a gene disorder to select embryos for implantation that are not predisposed to condition.
The UK’s Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has granted a license to doctors to screen human embryos for a rare genetic condition leading to bowel cancer. The gene causes familial adenomatous polyposis coli, or FAP, which is a severe colon condition that is inherited through a single dominant gene. The HFEA confirmed it had granted the license for pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for FAP to the Assisted Conception Unit at University College London on Monday. Apparently, families with this serious genetic condition have a 50 percent chance of passing it on to their offspring, who usually develop it between the ages of 20 and 30.
Paul Serhal, medical director at the Assisted Conception Unit, says that the HFEA has made a landmark decision to try to prevent cancer instead of just trying to treat cancer. They are attempting to eliminate the carriers of the gene instead of curing the disease. License to screen for other cancers will be looked at and decided on a case-by-case basis. Some other cancers being looked at currently are retinoblastoma because a single inherited gene causes it and the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations discussed at the beginning of this article.
Criticism revolves around embryo wastage and dabbling with nature. What parent would not want to prevent their child from developing cancer if possible?
Photo Credit
Attribution license creative commons
ckirkman’s photo stream uploaded September 12, 2005
