Is There Treatment for “Genetic” Disease?

Abstract

1It has always been the hope that better knowldge of the cause and pathogenesis of a particular isease would improve its treatment; better still ould prevent it. To a great extent, this hope has aterialized for a range of nutritional and infectious iseases, some of which had achieved epidemic proortions during human history. Now it is the turn of o-called genetic diseases to enter this arena of hope. Homo sapiens is the only species on earth which ntentionally modifies experience, thereby modifyng natural selection. Homo sapiens is Homo modicans. We can manipulate experience to maintain ealth. We seek cures of diseases; in their absence, e attempt control; and if we cannot control, we rovide care. There are no cures yet for genetic disase; we are doing better with control, and we can rovide care. Treatment of genetic disease involves odified selection and directed adaptation; it is foused on individuals and in many ways it is a culural activity. The ultimate goal is to restore the ormal metrical trait value in the target area of reatment. Walter B. Cannon called that area ho-