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Molecular Genetics in Medicine: Sharing the Benefits

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Molecular Genetics in Medicine

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Abstract

The immediate benefits to medical practice of molecular genetics are clearly apparent to someone like myself who cares for patients with inherited disorders (and their families) in a genetic clinic setting. The number of such conditions for which one can offer some practical help is increasing dramatically and one can share with one’s patients the excitement of discovery made by colleagues throughout the world. The latest was the cloning of the gene for cystic fibrosis (CF) by workers in Canada and the United States (Rommens et al. 1989; Riordan et al. 1989; Kerem et al. 1989) which will make it possible to refine prenatal diagnosis of CF, detect carriers of the gene and therefore couples at risk before they have had an affected child. It is also possible that, by understanding the basic patho-physiology of the defect, medical scientists may be able to devise rational and effective methods of treatment for this distressing disease.

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Authors
  1. Trefor Jenkins
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Professor of Human Genetics, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

    D. F. Roberts

  2. Senior Lecturer in Sociology, University of Hull, UK

    Robert Chester

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© 1991 The Galton Institute

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Jenkins, T. (1991). Molecular Genetics in Medicine: Sharing the Benefits. In: Roberts, D.F., Chester, R. (eds) Molecular Genetics in Medicine. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-10874-9_11

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