Adult diseases linked to embryo health
Adult diseases linked to embryo health
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Tuesday, 27, Jun 2006 08:13
Many adult health problems including dietary diseases and cardiovascular problems could be caused by problems developed as an embryo, it has been claimed.
Professor Justin Konje of the University of Leicester, revealing his findings in a lecture delivered later today, will argue that enough evidence exists for scientists to link health problems including diabetes, kidney failure and circulation problems affecting millions of people to developments occurring before they were born.
Despite acknowledging that "several questions remain unanswered", Professor Konje says he is confident about the potential impact which his discovery could have on public health in the future.
"Research into the fetal origins of adult diseases should help provide potential options on how to minimise fetal growth restriction, precise and early identification, the long-term implications of the different types and more importantly how to devise strategies to reduce the incidence of adult diseases which put together are the most commonly reported causes of long-term ill health," Professor Konje said.
Today's revelations follow quickly on last week's highly publicised announcement that British scientists have established methods of determining whether embryos are likely to develop genetic disorders.
Rather than searching for a specific mutation in one gene, the new screening method looks for DNA "markers" nearby, making it quicker to identify diseases in embryos.
The technique, developed by scientists at Guy's Hospital in London and incorporating existing screening methods, will also allow medics to test for a wider range of potential illnesses – including those covered by Professor Konje's findings.