Hi Belinda. I will share something special in my life to help express just how I feel about genetic research.
as A child on the site of the now centre of life Newcastle upon Tyne,I witnessed anamals being slaughtered it was a slaughter house. years after my son died of Gauchers, I visited a Genetic Scientist at the Centre, who told me, Collectively all the many Gene Disorders were not so rare, and that as many as 1 in 200 people in Newcastle could be carriers of Gauchers, and this a very rare Gene Dissorder affecting around 4OOO KNOWN PEOPLE IN THE WHOLE WORLD.
This was shocking odds to me, to say the least. a short while later I was back in the Centre, for a High profile, Care Standards Roadshow,where I proceded to tell a packed audience that from what I knew then of Genetic Dissoeders,I would have willingly given every part of my sons body up for research, and would have given my body to them, there and then, dead ore alive.
I was not asked when my son died, if they could use my son, but I told the audience its not when you ask but how, and if''). there was many a stunned face). soon after yet again. I met the great Jim Watson, who along with Francis Crick discovered the Double Helix. D.N.A. I had two seperate chats with Jim and he was just amazing with me. I also met Nick Ross of Crime Watch, who interviewed Mr Watson. Nick still inspires me to this day, through his incredible kindness towards me, fast forward a few years Im back in the centre, reading my poetry out that both Jim and Nick had signed some of,this time I was with my fellow Service Users, doing many possitives. and after I had screammed out loud after my meeting with the scientist, that it would happen again in the North East, Desperately shockingly, I was right it did happen again. even all the experts thought it impossible but it happened again, and I the uneducated desperately grieving father knew better. point being.
A Genetic Dissorder can strike without warning in any familly, and when it doe's. Well I will leave that to your imagination. All forms of Genetic Research, stem cell included, is so vital, yet not many people think about the incredible benefits it could have on the Human Race, well in to the future. And Yes there needs to be safeguards in place. but the research is most profoundly needed.
With Care Paul Davidson.
Having lost a child to Gauchers Disease I know only to well the importance of stem cell research and any other research in to Genetic Disorders.
Collectively, the40200 rare Gene Disorders and counting are not so rare, and effect many people their familys friends and the wider community
Bone marrow research can also help many people
but the Brain barrier is the most difficult and important to put research in to, as there is just not enough at the moment.
With Care
Paul
