The Breast Cancer Gene

Mary-Clair King, the woman given the credit for discovering the breast cancer gene was recently interviewed by the New York Times. Her question/ answer interview style revealed some very significant medical break-through's. Not only was her and her laboratories accredited with the discovery for the breast cancer gene BRCA1 on chromosome 17, she also won a huge battle against a company called Myriad who tried to patent the rights to gene. Backed by her lab at the University of Seattle Washington, and The Attorney Generals Office she won the Supreme Court Ruling 9-0 because genes are natural and cannot be patented. King was also accredited in her contribution of using mitochondrial DNA testing to reunite displaced families in Argentina. Mitochondrial DNA testing can be used to identify parentage or lineage.
It seems as though Mary- Clair King made some extremely significant contributions to science and human rights. Locating the gene was very important, but perhaps even more important was her preventing the patenting of genes, which could have been a very terrible occurrence in the world of genetics.

Wider Genetic Screening for Breast Cancer

The prominent scientist and geneticist, Marie-Claire King, who identified the first breast cancer gene is now urging all women to be tested for the genetic mutations that can lead to breast cancer. Her and her colleagues believe that no matter the woman’s personal or family history, that she be offered genetic testing for those mutated genes.

 For the most part, doctors will only recommend women to be tested for the breast cancer genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, if cancer runs in their families. However, it has been found that around fifty percent of women who carry mutations in their BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have no family history of breast or ovarian cancer. Marie-Claire King, along with her fellow colleagues, conducted a study that found that over 400 women that had no family history of this mutation, but carried it themselves, had the same high risk of getting breast cancer from the mutated genes. For this reason, King feels strongly that it is time for all women to be screened.

Opposers, however, state that some women that have these mutations never actually end up getting breast cancer and that the very serious surgeries that go along with the removal of the mutations can do more harm than good. Still, I completely agree with King. I think that all women should get tested for these genetic mutations because the worst thing it can do is make you aware of something that can be very dangerous if not treated. The decision as to what the women want to do with the information is completely in their hands. If they decide to get a mastectomy or not, at least they are aware of what is going on inside their body. With the information offered by the wider genetic screening for breast cancer, women can make decisions that can ultimately prolong and better their overall quality of life.

Article Link: http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014/09/08/346770167/researcher-urges-wider-genetic-screening-for-breast-cancer