w00t, Canada strikes again! Options

[KingByng]

Canadian team discovers gene that turns cancers off

VANCOUVER

August 13, 2007 at 6:49 PM EDT

A unique gene that can stop cancerous cells from multiplying into tumours has been discovered by a team of scientists at the B.C. Cancer Agency in Vancouver.

The team, led by Dr. Poul Sorensen, says the gene has the power to suppress the growth of human tumours in multiple cancers, including breast, lung and liver...

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/sto...eandHealth/home

w00t!

[Clazzy]

I was always under the impression that cancer occured because we started aging further than we were supposed to. Animals don't really suffer from cancer, although domestic animals do (my dog was put down because she had cancer, others are as well, I believe). Cancer is, at least in the elderly, nature's way of telling you your time is up and to let younger generations survive and dominate.
If it does work then it's a breakthrough, although not much can be done so far other than gene therapy and that won't be brought through. What I'm wondering is whether or not this gene is present in other animals and if it's been turned off/can be turned off there. Then of course, if it can be taken in pill form somehow (I'm not a biochemist so I'm not sure if genes can be suppressed with any kind of drug) then it'll have a patent and will be manufactured by the lowest bidder and sold for extortionate prices, such is the joy of capitalism.