Cystic Fibrosis Median Survival Rate Has Quadrupled Since the 60s
The history of cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is an incurable and fatal genetic condition and is "one of the conditions known as an autosomal recessive disorder."
Such disorders arise from the passing on of mutated genes. In CF, both biological parents must either be carriers of the mutated CF gene or have CF themselves to conceive children with CF.
Hallmarks of this genetic disorder include the presence of gelatin-like mucus in the respiratory tract and certain organs, along with digestive issues related to damaged cells in the pancreas.
CF was first recognized as a medical condition in the late 1930s. One decade later, it became known that CF was a hereditary condition. However, it took another 40 years to isolate its specific mutated gene. The culprit was found to be an altered form of the CFTR gene. That was a jumping off point for additional research.
