Yes, it is true. \nWhen I was a medical student, I was taught that people who were carriers\nfor the cystic fibrosis gene would not manifest any of the problems of the\ndisease. As time and science move\nforward this turns out not to be the case. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cystic Fibrosis is inherited as an autosomal recessive\ndisease; that is, it takes the bad gene from both parents to cause the\ndisease. Carriers have only one copy of\nthe gene which is known as the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance\nregulator (CFTR) protein. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The frequency for carriers varies by race:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
White 1\nin 3,200<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Black 1\nin 15,000<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hispanic 1 in 14,000<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Asian 1\nin 35,000<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The disease, cystic fibrosis, affects the sinuses, lungs,\npancreas, intestinal tract and other organs. \nIt commonly leads to chronic sinus and lung infections and pancreatic\nfailure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recent epidemiologic studies have revealed that carriers\nhave increased risk for some of the same problems. Carriers have a greater tendency for sinus\nand lung infections. They also have a\ngreater risk to develop bronchiectasis, a chronic infection in the bronchial\ntubes. The risk for respiratory failure\nis higher too. In the GI tract\npancreatitis and pancreatic cancer are more common in carriers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To date there is no specific cure for cystic fibrosis,\nmuch less the carrier state. But gene\ntherapy is coming close to being a reality. \nIn the meantime, being aware of greater risk as a carrier could help early\nin the intervention and screening for infections and cancer. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Yes, it is true. When I was a medical student, I was taught that people who were carriers for the cystic fibrosis gene would not manifest any of the problems of the disease. As time and science move forward this turns out not to be the case. Cystic Fibrosis is inherited as an autosomal recessive disease; that is, it takes the bad gene from both parents to cause the disease. Carriers have only one copy of the gene which is…<\/p>\n