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I would like to respond to Elaine's ([log in to unmask]) comments. Very
good points. However, let me tell you...he knows.
I interviewed at Johns Hopkins for their immunology program, and had a long
talk with Dr. Noel Rose. He is a wonderful man. We spent a while talking
about Celiac Disease, and he asked me if there were people in my family who
were also Celiacs. I said no. Then he asked me if there were people who had
Lupus, Arthritis, or a thyroid problem. I realized, yes. He told me that he
and other autoimmune researchers believe that Celiac, as well as a host of
other autoimmune diseases, have a common genetic basis, but are expressed
("brought about") by different environmental stimuli. This is the hard part
to determine--what causes the gene to express autoimmunity as Celiac, Lupus,
or perhaps both. This is what is difficult for scientists to determine.
However, I can assure you that he, and other researchers, are working hard on
the situation. I think that we will come up with gene therapy for ALL
autoimmune diseases, as opposed to "one at a time." It will, however, take
some time. Right now they have a map of the genome, but it is a map with "no
names." Now we need to figure out exactly what those genes do. Please be
patient--scientists are working hard.
Thank you and happy eating.
Jessica
Immunology student
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