Introduced by John Maddox
Is hay fever inherited? The tendency to develop certain diseases in adult life, for example fusion of bones in the spine (ankylosing spondylitis), multiple sclerosis, and some rare forms of cancer, can be detected before the disease shows itself, by identifying specific genes which are linked to the immune response system of the body. Geneticist PROFESSOR WALTER BODMER, from the University of Oxford, describes how research in this area may lead to a better understanding of the cause and nature of these diseases; and rheumatologist DR DEREK BREWERTON , from Westminster Hospital, London, outlines its clinical significance.
Editor MICHAEL BRIGHT