Law Prof Faces Uncertain Future After Learning of Parkinson’s Risk
A law professor at California Western School of Law in San Diego faces uncertainty amid growing evidence about health risks for carriers of genetic diseases.
Kenneth Klein, a law professor and former litigation partner at Foley & Lardner, learned he was a carrier for Gaucher disease 13 years ago when his daughter was born with the enzyme deficiency, the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) reports.
Those who have Gaucher’s may suffer from lung disease, anemia and arthritis, but carriers don’t suffer from those complications. Now new research shows a different health risk for carriers: They are at five times greater risk for Parkinson’s disease than the general public, the story says.
The Wall Street Journal says carriers of genetic diseases may think the only potential problem is having a child with the disorder, But new research shows some potential health problems. Carriers for cystic fibrosis, for example, are at increased risk for chronic sinus disease or a severe form of asthma. And carriers for fragile X syndrome are at a higher risk for illnesses such as depression, anxiety and neurological problems as they age.
Klein learned of the Parkinson’s study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, and contacted the authors. He learned there were no steps he could take, however, to prevent the disease.
