14 Oct 16
http://www.sciencealert.com/this-new-drug-could-help-nerve-fibres-to-repair-themselves
A gene inhibits the regrowth of nerves.
My question is what positive thing does that gene do? Why would we want to inhibit nerve regrowth when damaged?
Is this just a gene that is not needed, a real junk gene or is there something else going on more subtly that we don't yet know about?
15 Oct 16
Originally posted by sonhouseYes, I assume they are only used short term. Perhaps I should have said 'tumor' rather than cancer to refer to abnormal growth beyond the desired amount. I doubt that such growth would be malignant in this case, but it could still cause problems, and allowing the treatment to affect other parts of the body may cause problems.
So the use of such treatments is only short term till the nerves start working again. I would assume the cancer would happen only after extended use of such.
My point was that the body is always a delicate balance between growth enhancers and suppression and the suppression is typically just as important as the enhancers.
As an example, people who take steroids to enhance muscle growth can have negative side effects.