Fatal Genetic Mutation in Rat Lungs

Recent discoveries in rats has shown one of the causes for pulmonary hypertension, the increase of blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs.  Individuals can be examined to be completely healthy and still be victim towards the disease.  These symptoms originate from a dormant mutation in the genes of rats and becomes active once the rat is effected by another condition.  For example, if the rat is exposed to something as simple as the flu, it can activate the mutation in the gene, leading to pulmonary hypertension.

Scientists have discovered that most individuals with the mutation live completely healthy lives, and only a small percentage (about 20%) of individuals are effected by the mutation.  On the other hand the version of the gene that is most lethal is the mutation on the BMPR2 gene.  The only form of treatment and cure is to have a lung transplant that involves only a 30% chance of survival.
Due to the small chance of survival from the lung transplant, scientist could perhaps work on another pulmonary hypertension preventative.  Perhaps scientist can develop a genetically modified gene that can be directed to decrease the risk or amount of inflammation in the lungs and manually place it into the DNA of humans.
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