New Study Details 'Superhero DNA,' Beats Range of Diseases
If there is one thing that most people would want to have, it will have to be immunity from all kinds of illnesses. Surprisingly, new study shows that there are some who are born with what they call as the "superhero DNA." According to a report by BBC News, this particular DNA is found out to revoke genetic diseases like cystic fibrosis.
A new study was made and it involved almost 600,000 people. Out from that number, 13 were discovered to be disease-free even though they should have developed it. Discovery News detailed that the researchers believed they could find out the answer to fighting a range of illnesses with the help of the 13 individuals.
However, due to the consent rules signed by the study participants, it is not known who the 13 people are. They also cannot contact them as it is not allowed to do follow-ups. This situation basically hinders researchers and scientists from extracting more information on what exactly creates the so-called "superhero DNA" that is protecting people from such diseases.
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Parent Herald stated that the results of the analyzed genomes showed the 13 individuals able to resist eight types of "severe Mendalian conditions." They did not manifest any symptoms that are common in a condition like cystic fibrosis, which made the researchers come to a conclusion that their genes covered them from getting sick.
"Millions of years of evolution have produced far more protective mechanisms than we currently understand," said Eric Schadt, Founding Director of the Icahn Institute, as noted in RT. "Characterizing the intricacies of our genomes will ultimately reveal elements that could promote health in ways we haven't even imagined."
The researchers are planning to commence a broader study next but this time around, they will be making a better policy about consents from participants including the willingness to have their data and the results publicly known.
