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.

[Tartan Bunny]

cancers are caused by mutations, and because humans are f*cked up (smoking alcohol etc, etc.) me are more prone to cancers than animals (they dont smoke).

[Clazzy]

cancers are caused by mutations, and because humans are f*cked up (smoking alcohol etc, etc.) me are more prone to cancers than animals (they dont smoke).

Yes, I know that. However you'll find that it's quite the regular occurance for old people and there was research done into the whole thing with evidence to suggest it's a natural occurance. I'll try and dig it out.

[ORCACommander]

I don't think that it is at all a natural occurrence with old people at all. Back when they were young they would receive Radium as a medication *for those of you who do not know radium is Radioactive* and Untested other drugs for injuries pains and head aches. Also doctors used to give pregnant woman formaldehyde which caused serious debilitating birth defects. They put a lot more of that kind of harmful materials while smoking and smoking and drinking. Apart from the people who do illegal drugs today they're bodies have been abused more making them more prone to illnesses an cancer in later life.

[Clazzy]

Here you go. Old age occurs because faulty cells are produced, these cells could grow into a tumour.

[Lin Kuei Ominae]

There are many ways to get a genetical defect.
One is the simple aging process, while every cell division causes some very small errors that multiply over the time and finally can lead to cancer.
Or social/outer ascendancies that cause a genetical defect in cells, like already said smoking, drinking, unhealthy feeding (fatty food / fast food), no sports, radiation and maybe even electromagnetic pollution.
Or a genetical defect that is inherited.
And of course some unknown reasons that aren't discovered yet.

This post has been edited by Lin Kuei Ominae: Aug 14 2007, 09:13 PM

[Crash]

Damn, if they find a way to cure cancer... that's almost revolution!

[Clazzy]

There already are cures for it, they work well most of the time. Prevention is what the next step is, which is what this is.

and maybe even electromagnetic pollution.

By the way, this is a load of crap. This is scaremongering by the ignorant media, nothing more. The sun pumps out more electromagnetic radiation than anything else on this planet. Some is stopped by the atmosphere but it still gets through. Not an issue.

[The Raven]

There already are cures for it, they work well most of the time. Prevention is what the next step is, which is what this is.
By the way, this is a load of crap. This is scaremongering by the ignorant media, nothing more. The sun pumps out more electromagnetic radiation than anything else on this planet. Some is stopped by the atmosphere but it still gets through. Not an issue.

True, very true.
If this works this could be the first step to really controlling cancer, it will be impossible to wipe out of course, but we could eventually make it almost unheard of.
As for me, this just makes me worry less about drinking and smoking (not that I worry much anyway, live life to the fullest, eh?). The only time I'll ever stop that is if i get a woman pregnant, in which case we'll both stop everything and get detox, since I want my kid to be as healthy as possible...

[DeathRay2K]

Cancer is simply what happens when the mitochondria don't kill their cell when they're supposed to. Many things can cause this to occur, including radiation and various chemicals. Cancer treatments are realyl rather flawed as they do not address the root cause of cancer, they attempt to kill the cells 'manually'*. Old age occurs because cellular reproduction is imperfect, and over time, the DNA in your cells is degraded, meaning that a cell won't contain your full set of DNA, thus degrading your body eventually to the point of death. I suppose the relation between the two would be that with your DNA out of whack, whatever it is that signals the mitochondria that its time to die, doesn't.

Although, the truth is that the older a generation is, the worse their environmental conditions were, so I think cancer will eventually lessen by itself, as the older generations die and the healthier (Or at least, better protected) generations take their place.


*Except for the one known true cure for cancer, which reenables the mitochondria of cancerous cells. Unfortunately it will never be produced because it is not patentable (Its been used for a long time for other purposes)

[ORCACommander]

d2k I think you mean lysosomes. Mitochondria are just the energy factories of the cell its the lysosome's job to cle4an up waste and kill it

[DeathRay2K]

No, I mean mitochondria. Lysosomes are cells unto themselves that digest small particles of waste (food, bacteria, etc.).
Oh, and the drug that cures cancer is called dichloroacetate and its unpatentable because its been used for a long time to treat some metabolic disorders...
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