More On Polycythemia Vera
Jul 31, 202045.8K Shares1.4M Views
I blogged yesterday on a responsefrom a former employee of the Agency for Toxic Substances to our reporton the CDC agency. Former ATSDR official John Steward talked about the problems that can be associated with linking public health problems to environmental factors. He took issue specifically with our report’s suggestion that polycythemia vera clusters in eastern Penn. are linked to environmental causes.
I pointed out that polycythemia vera, a very rare form of blood cancer, is not a genetic disorder, as Steward suggested, even though it can result from a genetic mutation — in the JAK2gene. According to the National Institute of Health, it is notpassed from parent to child.
Geneticist Dante Picciano emailed me responding to yesterday’s post. He explained the scientific difference between an inherited genetic disorder and a genetic mutation:
“„Genetic disorders are transmitted from one generation to the next and are caused by mutations to the reproductive cells. Sickle cell anemia is a classic example of a genetic disorder. Polycythemia vera is not a genetic disorder. It is not transmitted from generation to generation. The disorder may have a genetic component in that a somatic cell (body cell) mutation, as opposed to a reproductive cell mutation, may be associated with the disease. It may be that environmental exposures cause or contribute to the somatic mutation.
Dexter Cooke
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Dexter Cooke is an economist, marketing strategist, and orthopedic surgeon with over 20 years of experience crafting compelling narratives that resonate worldwide.
He holds a Journalism degree from Columbia University, an Economics background from Yale University, and a medical degree with a postdoctoral fellowship in orthopedic medicine from the Medical University of South Carolina.
Dexter’s insights into media, economics, and marketing shine through his prolific contributions to respected publications and advisory roles for influential organizations.
As an orthopedic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive knee replacement surgery and laparoscopic procedures, Dexter prioritizes patient care above all.
Outside his professional pursuits, Dexter enjoys collecting vintage watches, studying ancient civilizations, learning about astronomy, and participating in charity runs.
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