Genes and Resistance to Disease

1. Front Matter

   Pages I-XII

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2. Genetics of Survival

   • F. Schächter

   Pages 1-7

3. The Human Genes that Limit AIDS

   • S. J. O’Brien, M. Dean, M. Smith, C. Winkler, G. W. Nelson, M. P. Martin et al.

   Pages 9-17

4. Gene Protecting against Age-Related Macular Degeneration

   • P. Amouyel

   Pages 19-26

5. Genes Involved in Resistance to Carcinogenesis

   • C. R. Wolf

   Pages 27-42

6. Leptin and the Neural Circuit Regulating Body Weight

   • J. M. Friedman

   Pages 43-49

7. The Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein (CETP) Locus and Protection Against Atherosclerosis

   • K. Berg

   Pages 51-65

8. Does the Gene Encoding Apolipoprotein A-IMilano Protect the Heart?

   • C. R. Sirtori, L. Calabresi

   Pages 67-81

9. Candidate Gene Polymorphisms in Cardiovascular Pathophysiology

   • F. Cambien

   Pages 83-90

10. Protective Responses of Endothelial Cells

    • M. P. Soares, C. Ferran, K. Sato, K. Takigami, J. Anrather, Y. Lin et al.

    Pages 91-103

11. Genetic Factors in Malaria Resistance

    • L. Luzzatto

    Pages 105-119

12. Genetic Basis of Resistance to Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Neurodegenerative Diseases

    • C. L. Masters, K. Beyreuther

    Pages 121-131

13. Genes Affecting Cognitive and Emotional Functions

    • P. McGuffin

    Pages 133-145

14. Gene Therapy: Promises, Problems and Prospects

    • I. M. Verma, L. Naldini, T. Kafri, H. Miyoshi, M. Takahashi, U. Blömer et al.

    Pages 147-157

15. “Good Gene” /“Bad Gene”

    • V. I. Ivanov

    Pages 159-168

16. Genes Protecting Against Cancers and Tumor Suppressor Genes

    • J. J. Mulvihill

    Pages 169-178

17. Back Matter

    Pages 179-180

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The advances in human genetics that have ocurred during the past 20 years have revolutionized our knowledge of the role played by inheritance in health and disase. It is clear that our DNA determines not only the emergence of catastrophic single-gene disorders, which affect millions of persons worldwide, but also interacts with environments to predispose individuals to cancer, allergy, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, psychiatric disorders and even to some infectious diseases. Overall, the study of longevity and the demonstration of genes favouring a long lifespan suggest that such protective systems exist. In recent years, the study of genetic polymorphisms has made clear that some alleles have beneficial effects. These discoveries can substantially improve our understanding of the interactions between genetics and the environment, between pathogenetic mechanisms and new treatments.

• Allele
• Alzheim's Disease
• DNA
• Malaria resistance
• gene therapy
• genes
• genetics
• neurodegenerative diseases

• Human Genetics Department of Noncommunicable Disease Prevention, World Health Organization, Switzerland

  V. Boulyjenkov

• Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

  K. Berg

• Department of Medical Genetics, Ullevål University Hospital, Oslo, Norway

  K. Berg

• Fondation IPSEN, Pour la Recherche Thérapeutique, Paris Cedex 16, France

  Y. Christen

Policies and ethics