Defining a cure

[Jade]

<i>Let me first say that I don't keep up with the scientific side of CF, so I have no idea what's in the pipelines right now. My question is just a curious one.</i>

How would you define a cure for CF. I've always thought that if CF were cured it wouldn't be what most people think of when they hear the word cure. It seems more realistic that a set of treatments would come along that could extend a CF's lifespan to a greater number of symptom free years. Would it be crazy to say that if certain meds were developed that extended the median age to something around 50-60, or even extending that number to what's considered a normal life span.....couldn't that be considered a cure compared to where we are now. Technically, you would still have CF, just with a far brighter future in sight for both young and older CF's. Just curious of what others think a true cure might involve.

 

[Jade]

<i>Let me first say that I don't keep up with the scientific side of CF, so I have no idea what's in the pipelines right now. My question is just a curious one.</i>

How would you define a cure for CF. I've always thought that if CF were cured it wouldn't be what most people think of when they hear the word cure. It seems more realistic that a set of treatments would come along that could extend a CF's lifespan to a greater number of symptom free years. Would it be crazy to say that if certain meds were developed that extended the median age to something around 50-60, or even extending that number to what's considered a normal life span.....couldn't that be considered a cure compared to where we are now. Technically, you would still have CF, just with a far brighter future in sight for both young and older CF's. Just curious of what others think a true cure might involve.

 

[Jade]

<i>Let me first say that I don't keep up with the scientific side of CF, so I have no idea what's in the pipelines right now. My question is just a curious one.</i>

How would you define a cure for CF. I've always thought that if CF were cured it wouldn't be what most people think of when they hear the word cure. It seems more realistic that a set of treatments would come along that could extend a CF's lifespan to a greater number of symptom free years. Would it be crazy to say that if certain meds were developed that extended the median age to something around 50-60, or even extending that number to what's considered a normal life span.....couldn't that be considered a cure compared to where we are now. Technically, you would still have CF, just with a far brighter future in sight for both young and older CF's. Just curious of what others think a true cure might involve.

 

[Chaggie]

I see a cure as a treatment that would permanently fix the genetic defect that causes CF. Since I realize that is pretty far off right now I would accept a "cure" as a treatment that would "fix" or replace the CFTR protien that causes CF.

 

[Chaggie]

I see a cure as a treatment that would permanently fix the genetic defect that causes CF. Since I realize that is pretty far off right now I would accept a "cure" as a treatment that would "fix" or replace the CFTR protien that causes CF.

 

[Chaggie]

I see a cure as a treatment that would permanently fix the genetic defect that causes CF. Since I realize that is pretty far off right now I would accept a "cure" as a treatment that would "fix" or replace the CFTR protien that causes CF.

 

[dbtoo]

In my opinion, a cure would require the repair of the defective gene sequence, possibly through stem cell research. This, however, would not improve things for those whose bodies are already affected by CF, you can't undo what's already happened to us, but maybe they will be able to relieve some of the symptoms.

Jade, you already live in a world with <div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote> a far brighter future </end quote></div> When I was diagnosed, I had a life expectancy of about 18 - that was almost 36 years ago. The medications and technology has improved, and will continue to improve.

Then again, maybe I am just living proof that "Only the Good Die Young!" Heck, I might just live forever.

 

[dbtoo]

In my opinion, a cure would require the repair of the defective gene sequence, possibly through stem cell research. This, however, would not improve things for those whose bodies are already affected by CF, you can't undo what's already happened to us, but maybe they will be able to relieve some of the symptoms.

Jade, you already live in a world with <div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote> a far brighter future </end quote></div> When I was diagnosed, I had a life expectancy of about 18 - that was almost 36 years ago. The medications and technology has improved, and will continue to improve.

Then again, maybe I am just living proof that "Only the Good Die Young!" Heck, I might just live forever.

 

[dbtoo]

In my opinion, a cure would require the repair of the defective gene sequence, possibly through stem cell research. This, however, would not improve things for those whose bodies are already affected by CF, you can't undo what's already happened to us, but maybe they will be able to relieve some of the symptoms.

Jade, you already live in a world with <div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote> a far brighter future </end quote></div> When I was diagnosed, I had a life expectancy of about 18 - that was almost 36 years ago. The medications and technology has improved, and will continue to improve.

Then again, maybe I am just living proof that "Only the Good Die Young!" Heck, I might just live forever.