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1993.12.02 : Discovery of Colon Cancer Gene

Thursday, December 2, 1993               (202) 690-6343 - HHS
Anne Thomas                             (301) 496-57S7 - NIH

HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala issued this statement following the
announcement that scientists funded by the National Institutes of
Health had isolated a gene showing susceptibility to colon cancer:

"This is a great day for science.  The discovery of a `cancer
gene' is a textbook example of the kinds of payoffs we can expect
when we invest in basic research.

"This work will likely lead to the rapid development of diagnostic
tests to identify people who are susceptible to this type of
cancer.  Many lives will be saved as people found to be at risk
are urged to take preventive action.

"Genetic research is also bringing us face-to-face with some
difficult ethical issues, particularly those related to genetic
counseling and the privacy of genetic information.  There is a
real concern that people found to be at increased risk might be
excluded from the health insurance market.

"Under President Clinton's Health Security Act, such
discrimination based on 'preexisting conditions, would be illegal. 
The more we learn about our genes -- the more we learn about the
risks we may carry for diseases and disorders -- the more our
citizens need the security of knowing they will have health care
that can never be taken away.

"Lastly, it is important to note that the NIH's National Center
for Human Genome Research has a special program to look at ethical
issues and fund research on the best ways of dealing with these
and related questions which will undoubtedly arise as similar
breakthroughs are achieved."

NOTE: The National Institutes of Health is one of eight agencies
of the Public Health Service within the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services.