Genetics

Alzheimer's disease

Although age remains the major risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), genetics clearly plays a role. A common polymorphism in the gene for apolipoprotein E, a lipoprotein responsible for repairing synapses, increases the risk of AD 5 to 15 times. Moreover, cerebral infarcts in the presence of AD-type lesions raise the risk of dementia 20 times. Women receiving estrogen replacement therapy and patients taking long-term NSAID therapy are less likely to have AD. While we await confirmation of the potential preventive effectiveness of estrogen, NSAIDs and antioxidants, we should strive to reduce the risk of cerebrovascular disease. CMAJ 2000;162(1): 65-72.

Benefits of genetic research must be shared

Scientists attending the Human Genome 2000 meeting in Vancouver this April approved a statement on the need to share benefits arising from their groundbreaking research. Although they agreed that private-sector involvement is needed to speed product development and that patenting helps encourage research, they are also worried about the misuse of data and about attempts to patent and commercialize genes, thus depriving others of the potential benefits. CMAJ 2000;162(12)1736-7.

Genome Canada launched

The federal government announced $160 million in funding to create Genome Canada, a research program that will allow Canadian scientists to sequence the DNA of plants, animals and humans without having to go abroad, as they now do. CMAJ 2000:162(10):1478-9.

Most Canadian welcome genetic testing

A survey by the financial and managerial firm PricewaterhouseCoopers found that most Canadians favour the use of genetic testing for specific medical purposes. The survey found that 93% felt genetic testing would be very or somewhat acceptable if used to diagnose illnesses earlier. Almost as many respondents (91.3%) said it was very or somewhat acceptable to use genetic testing to determine the risk of transmitting a disease to one's children. CMAJ 2000;163(2):200.

Newfoundland and Labrador fertile genetic grounds

Newfoundland and Labrador are known for their small gene pool making the province an ideal place for genetics research. Now the provincial government is moving to regulate that type of research, likely by forming a provincial research ethics board. There are concerns that researchers aren't sharing their outcomes with subjects. CMAJ 2000;163(3):321.

Patenting life: genetically altered mice an invention, court declares

Researchers are hailing a Federal Court of Appeal decision that nonhuman life forms can be patented in Canada, although some doubt that the ruling will have a major effect on their work. The decisions concern the "oncomouse," or knock-out mouse, developed at Harvard University — a genetically altered mouse that gets cancer very easily, making it an ideal test platform for new therapies. The mouse has been patented for many years in the US. Until Aug. 3, 2000, however, they could not be patented in Canada. In reversing that ruling, the Federal Court said that the oncomouse and other genetically modified nonhuman life forms fit the Patent Act definition of an invention as a "composition of matter." CMAJ 2000;163(7):867-8.

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