Scientists in Iceland have discovered “previously unknowngene mutations” that cause many diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, heart
disease, and gallstones. The project is
referred to as Decode. According to
Daniel G. MacArthur, a geneticist at Massachusetts General Hospital, they have managed
to get a larger chunk of genetic information of an entire population than any
other country in the world. They were
able to describe the sequence of genomes 2,636 Icelanders.
These diseases are caused by a number of genetic
mutations, unlike cystic fibrosis, which is why they are so common. The genetic mutations can code for anything
from irregular heartbeat to heart disease and breast cancer. Scientists have tested those with genetic
mutations to see which diseases they could code for but also those that lack working
versions of the genes, known as “human knockouts”. Nearly eight percent of Icelanders have
knockout genes, 1,171 genes were identified.
Scientists are testing thousands of genetic (and partial
genetic) information from people both with and without these genes in order to
find out what causes these genetic mutations and diseases. They have a technique called imputation that
allows them to read the full genome that have never been tested or submitted
their information. With this technique,
scientists can identify which people have a gene that codes for a certain
disease such as breast cancer or Alzheimer’s.
Although this information has to be kept from Icelanders at this time,
it is a huge breakthrough in the genetics movement.
The
research done by these scientists is so important because it can help point us
towards potential treatments and cures to these diseases. Being able to discover the genes that cause
genetic mutations and diseases would make it easier for an early diagnosis. Decode declared bankruptcy but was rebought,
allowing the research to continue. I
believe the scientists in this project should not only continue their research,
but expand it. If their experiments continue
the way they have been, the cures to many common diseases could be closer than
we think.

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