In a healthy body, cells grow, die and are replaced constantly. They divide in a highly regulated and strictly controlled way. Each cell contains our genetic information, which determines our outward physical appearance and inward physical health. Our hair colour, eye colour or height are for example physically inherited characteristics. Genes are the nature’s blueprints for every living being.
Due to a regulation mechanism our genes, the working units of the DNA, decide when to renew cells, when to destroy them and consequently determine the general health of our body, the right functioning of organs and the predisposition for diseases which are characterised as genetically inherited diseases. Therefore this regulation mechanism controls the growth of and communication to the cells.
During cell division genetic disorders or inherited diseases can be detected or even caused. In such a case the human body sends an alert to our repair mechanism, which stops the reproduction cycle until the defect is eradicated. Sometimes, however, the regulation mechanism of a damaged and potentially cancerous cell does not work properly and the cell, together with the defect it contains, grows in an uncontrolled way.
We will show you why small alterations turn out to be a huge problem for the people concerned and consequently for the European society as a whole.