Hi,
  As I read the note, the researchers have found an area in the DNA
strands  that's connected statisticly with lactase deficiency in a large
number of lactose intolerant Finnish families.

  The number of unrelated households is significant because this gives a
higher probability that this area of the genome  causes most adult onset
LI, rather than just being a small family mutation.  The fact that these
codes are spread around so many families indicates that mankind has been
living with this problem for a long (many thousands of years) time.

  The size of the area seemed a bit large to me - I suspect that they've
not yet identified the exact areas of the DNA strands that account for
LI, but have narrowed the search by a great deal.  (I can easily be
wrong on this one.  I haven't worked in this field for about 10 years.)

  It's significant in that this is the first time the genetic
underpinnings of adult onset LI has been found.

  For our day-to-day lives, this won't matter.  I'm not counting on a
genetic-modification to cure my LI before 2020.  (Assuming a lot of
lucky researchers.)

Clif
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