Molecular medicine: a primer for clinicians. Part IV: Cystic fibrosis and the power and limitations of molecular medicine.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is among the most common genetic diseases in caucasians of Northern European ancestry. The cloning of the gene responsible for cystic fibrosis, the characterization of the product of the gene and identification of mutations occurring in CF patients are excellent examples of the potential clinical utility of molecular medicine. The ethical issues associated with the ability to identify carriers of CF mutations highlight the magnitude of the questions molecular medicine raises.
Lindahl
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Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, USD School of Medicine, Vermillion 57069.
Parry
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D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000235:genetics*; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D008967:Molecular Biology; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D010641:Phenotype
C505032:CFTR protein, human; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator