Re: Yes, but.....

Posted by Richard Linney on Dec 19, 2001 at 06:11
apsn04.zeneca.co.uk (193.132.159.5)

Re: Yes, but..... (Sparrow)

Sadly, because it's all related to genetics, most of the time it's all down to chance (random mutations in the DNA).

Although errors in DNA transcription occur all the time, mechanisms exist for these mistakes to be rectified. It's only when an error occurs in the correct (or wrong, depending on your optimistic/pessimistic view) location and the mechanisms in place fail to correct the mistake, does the disease rear its ugly head.

NB. One mutation may not be enough to show symptoms of a disease - due to cascade pathways that are commonplace in biochemical reactions, several mutations are usually required for a disease to happen.

Sparrow >> I know you're "just askin"... if we knew all of the answers, a lot of the suffering in the world would have stopped by now.




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