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This week on Healthwatch, we're focusing on genetic research. Understanding genetic structure and function helps scientists know more about how the body works and why some diseases develop.
Researchers at UT Southwestern recently found the family of genes they believe makes people likely to develop lupus. Lupus, an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks its own tissues, affects 1.5 million Americans. Researchers determined that people are prone to developing lupus if there's an imbalance between the genes that strengthen the immune system to fight disease and genes that suppress the immune system. Without the right balance, the immune system may go beyond fighting infection to fighting the body itself.
The researchers hope to someday use this knowledge to help prevent or treat lupus.
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Jan. 2005
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