Actually I’m not accepting this report as valid, based on the facts in this response. I suffer from a variety of Leukemia that results from a defective chromosome called the Philadelphia Chromosome. This bad chromosome results when a chain of dna breaks and rejoins in an inappropriate manner. The treatment of choice is a cyto drug called Gleevec. It has only been widely accepted and approved for the last 5 to 6 years. However, those in the prior trials have had a muchj improved success rate than prior treatments. Now I understand there are other cyto drugs that have come into play.
Would the drugs be successful if there had been no genetic decoding? Maybe, but I’d bet that they would have taken much longer to develop. Merely understanding the genetic code gives researchers much more insight into just how they can target specific treatments.
My Leukemia is the same version that killed my mother in 1981. It is quite aggressive. She went from diagnosis to death in just under 10 months.
I like to think you’re right, it has speeded things up.
The very best to you.
I have the same version of leukemia; Geevec is in a fact a lifesaver for me. Actually, though, it was approved in 2001 following clinical trials that began in 1995. The story began even further back in the 1960’s, as one research fact lead to another, and another breakthrough.
I have no idea if the lessons learned with this form of leukemia can be applied elsewhere. I do know that at 58 I faced a diagnosis that, 15 years ago, was a death sentence.
God help you.
When one has a life threatning/immediate illness such as yourself ya do pharma and what ever else to get through it alive.
Hope two decades has made break through so you can survive.
Best wishes/prayers.