Scientists Pinpoint Gene That Produces Renegade Skeleton

I hadn't heard of this condition before. It's amazing what can go wrong in the human body. Check out the interesting photo attached to the article,


Scientists Pinpoint Gene That Produces Renegade Skeleton

NEW YORK ?- Scientists have discovered a mutant gene that triggers the body to form a second, renegade skeleton, solving the mystery of a rare disease called FOP that imprisons children in bone for life.

The finding, reported Sunday, may one day lead to development of a drug, not only to treat the rare bone disorder, but more common bone buildup related to head and spine trauma, and even sports injuries, the researchers said.

"We've reached the summit," said Dr. Frederick Kaplan, an orthopedist whose team at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine pinpointed the cause of FOP, or fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva. The disease is believed to afflict only 2,500 people worldwide.

Scientists Pinpoint Gene That Produces Renegade Skeleton