Hepatitis C Support Group
Hepatitis C is a blood-borne viral disease which can cause liver inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread by blood-to-blood contact with an infected person's blood. Many people with HCV infection have no symptoms and are unaware of the need to seek treatment. Hepatitis C infects an estimated 150-200 million people worldwide.
This is outrageous. Maybe this is why the IL28b test is so expensive and probably not even available in Canada!
Supreme Court Asks: Can Human Genes Be Patented?
http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/04/15/177035299/supreme-court-asks-can-human-genes-be-patented
Supreme Court Asks: Can Human Genes Be Patented?
http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/04/15/177035299/supreme-court-asks-can-human-genes-be-patented
i had this same issues years ago. i brought a pair of genes to the dry cleaner, and apparently someone else got them. I agree that it's outrageous that someone else owns my genes
on the other hand, based on my medical history, i wished i owned someone elses genes. They can have mine, good riddance
But seriously this is a very big issue as many researches have to think long and hard about pursuing genetic research for advancements in healthcare; afraid of copyright infringements and law suits.
It's not just about the IL28b gene for HCV but ALL research based on genetics. It's just not right! I hope the SC makes good decisions.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2013/04/15/gene-patent-case-us-supreme-court.html
Pay attention folks! :^)
Love your humor joe :)
They can have my genes/jeans too if they'll give me back a size 8 and guarantee the fit. It's all the blooddrop's fault.
I agree Kramer! It does Suck big ass cow pies but I doubt that the Supreme court is going to do the right thing especially with their recent track record of letting the floodgates open with respect to campaign finances...
I believe only our illustrious congress has the power to change it.
However if the congress can be wined and dined by so many different types of special interest groups then you can kiss any hope of them straightening this out so that there's an equitable amount of justice for all parties involved. :>( :>( :>(
Corruption at its highest level unfortunately!
Respectfully,
Henry
Anyone know what countries? or what their justification was?
I can see patents for the method of extraction and isolation, but this is freakin ridiculous
just one of many things in this country that fills me with rage...
http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/15/17723531-high-court-signals-skepticism-on-patenting-genes?lite
They're a class of interleukins encoding Interferon lambda 3
They are a category of signaling molecules that are used extensively in cellular communication.
They are proteins, peptides, or glycoproteins. The term cytokine encompasses a large and diverse family of polypeptide regulators that are produced widely throughout the body by cells of diverse embryological origin. They're Genes of a specific type naturally found in certain races of humans.
Basically, the term "cytokine" has been used to refer to the immunomodulating agents (interleukins, interferons, etc.). Conflicting data exists about what is termed a cytokine and what is termed a hormone.
Anatomic and structural distinctions between cytokines and classic hormones are fading as we learn more about each.
it is well known that many patients will not be cured by treatment, and that patients of European ancestry have a significantly higher probability of being cured than patients of African ancestry.
In addition to limited efficacy, treatment is often poorly tolerated because of side effects that prevent some patients from completing therapy. For these reasons, identification of the determinants of response to treatment is a high priority.
Here we report that a genetic ( Single Nucleotide Polymorphism - SNP) polymorphism (CC & TT) or variant near the IL28B gene, encoding interferon-lambda-3 (IFN-lambda-3), is associated with an approximately twofold change in response to treatment, both among patients of European ancestry (P = 1.06 x 10(-25)) and African-Americans (P = 2.06 x 10(-3)).
Because the genotype leading to better response is in substantially greater frequency in European than African populations, this genetic polymorphism also explains approximately half of the difference in response rates between African-Americans and patients of European ancestry.
Hence, Genotype = a type of gene = a Cytokine
Therefore, a Gene and a Genotype are one in the same and there are many different types of genes.
The difference between a genotype such as 1a or 2b and a cytokine is that they are different types genes.
However the genes found that make up the HCV are not the same as the type of single type of gene (IL28b) that naturally occur in humans from specific races in the world because the IL28b genotype is also found in healthy, virus free humans from the same specific region of our world yet not in other regions.
And it is the SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) or gene variant found near the IL28b Gene is used as the determining factor in predicting whether or not a patient will more than likely be
cured from Interferon tx therapy.
The HCV Gene types or genotypes are only found in the HCV and do not naturally occur in any humans of any race or region of the world.
Finally, even if one doesn't have the IL28b gene or genotype, one can still be cured of HCV through tx therapy. Only @ a lower percentage than if one did have the IL28b Gene.
So there you have it Marilyn! I hope this explains what an "IL28b) is.
Respectfully,
Henry