A Jewish school has helped "prevent future tragedy" by testing students for an incurable fatal disease common in people of their religion.
More than 30 Sixth Form pupils at Immanuel College, Elstree Road, were screened for Tay-Sachs disease, a condition one in every 25 Jewish people is estimated to be a carrier of.
The screening event was run by Jess Clare, a volunteer for charity Jewish Care.
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She said: "I am delighted that these pupils have taken the initiative to be screened. It is a vital test as babies who are born with Tay-Sachs will not live past the age of four. By taking blood samples we can identify carriers and prevent future tragedy. I would urge all young people to come forward and be tested."
The disease is passed on to children if both parents are carriers, a situation screening events attempt to avoid.
Immanuel student Sammy Jo Altman, 17, said he thought the screening was a good idea after learning about the disease in biology.
Another student, Richard Donne, 17, said: "I didn't know very much about Tay-Sachs until the school gave us a letter. I think that everyone should be tested, just in case."
Headteacher Philip Skelker, said the condition was something "all young Jewish people need to be aware of", adding that the session would help prepare pupils for life after school.
After the event, Tay-Sachs consultant Dr Philip Koch, who lost two daughters to the disease, said: "I feel we have achieved something today, but there is much more work to be done."
Blood samples from the tested students have been sent to Guy's Hospital in London for analysis. The results will be sent to their GPs in around six weeks.
For information about the disease telephone Jess Clare on 07890 611119.
Posted by: Arthur, Garston on 9:44am Wed 16 Apr 08
I was curious about this so I looked it up. Readers may be interested in what I found:
The disease is named after the British ophthalmologist Warren Tay who first described the red spot on the retina of the eye in 1881, and the American neurologist Bernard Sachs who described the cellular changes of Tay-Sachs and noted an increased prevalence in the Eastern European Jewish (Ashkenazi) population in 1887.
Tay-Sachs disease is a rare disease. Other autosomal disorders such as cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia are far more common. Tay-Sach mutations reach significant frequencies in several populations. French Canadians of southeastern Quebec have a carrier frequency similar to Ashkenazi Jews, but they carry a different mutation. Many Cajuns of southern Louisiana carry the same mutation.
I was curious about this so I looked it up. Readers may be interested in what I found:
The disease is named after the British ophthalmologist Warren Tay who first described the red spot on the retina of the eye in 1881, and the American neurologist Bernard Sachs who described the cellular changes of Tay-Sachs and noted an increased prevalence in the Eastern European Jewish (Ashkenazi) population in 1887.
Tay-Sachs disease is a rare disease. Other autosomal disorders such as cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia are far more common. Tay-Sach mutations reach significant frequencies in several populations. French Canadians of southeastern Quebec have a carrier frequency similar to Ashkenazi Jews, but they carry a different mutation. Many Cajuns of southern Louisiana carry the same mutation.
Posted by: Igloo, Watford on 10:04am Wed 16 Apr 08
If this disease affects one in twenty five, why have these people only screened 30 children? Information is not readily available as to how many children attend this school, but even if it's only a couple of hundred, potentially 8 are afflicted. Seems irresponsible to me.
If this disease affects one in twenty five, why have these people only screened 30 children? Information is not readily available as to how many children attend this school, but even if it's only a couple of hundred, potentially 8 are afflicted. Seems irresponsible to me.
Posted by: Kim@ntsad.org, Boston, MA on 4:02pm Wed 16 Apr 08
It is important to note that people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent should also consider screening several other diseases genetic diseases. The ‘Jewish Panel’ can include up to 11 devastating genetic diseases, all detectable with a simple blood test.
Bloom Syndrome
Canavan Disease
Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
Familial Dysautonomia (FD)
Fanconi Anemia Type C
Gaucher Disease Type I
Glycogen Storage Disorder Type Ia (GDSIa)
Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD)
Mucolipidosis IV (ML4)
Niemann-Pick Disease Type A
Tay-Sachs Disease
It is important to note that people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent should also consider screening several other diseases genetic diseases. The ‘Jewish Panel’ can include up to 11 devastating genetic diseases, all detectable with a simple blood test.
Bloom Syndrome
Canavan Disease
Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
Familial Dysautonomia (FD)
Fanconi Anemia Type C
Gaucher Disease Type I
Glycogen Storage Disorder Type Ia (GDSIa)
Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD)
Mucolipidosis IV (ML4)
Niemann-Pick Disease Type A
Tay-Sachs Disease
I am not clear as to what is the purpose of this testing and screening. Is it to identify possible future victims and hhopefully help them, or is it to prevent Jewish carriers of the disease from having children at all? This is not made clear in the story.
I am not clear as to what is the purpose of this testing and screening. Is it to identify possible future victims and hhopefully help them, or is it to prevent Jewish carriers of the disease from having children at all? This is not made clear in the story.
Perhaps I could add this this issue demonstrates very clearly the importance of tracing one's genealogy and family history. If a particular disease is found to be hereditary in a family, then the issue of whether members of that family should procreate and pass the disease on becomes very significant indeed.
Perhaps I could add this this issue demonstrates very clearly the importance of tracing one's genealogy and family history. If a particular disease is found to be hereditary in a family, then the issue of whether members of that family should procreate and pass the disease on becomes very significant indeed.
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