GM Mice, Pain Free?

The Recipe for Pain Free??

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/12/151204090034.htm

 Article Summary:
Using transgenic mice, meaning, "modified to carry genetic material from another organism," to experiment, scientist think they have now found a cure to pain. The article explains that there is a rare genetic disorder where humans are born with a non-functional Nav 1.7, a sodium channel, are unable to feel pain without the long term side effects and dependency caused by opioids painkillers, like morphine. By giving the mice without Nav 1.7 a dose of naloxone, an opioid blocker, and they became able to feel pain again. Similarly, they gave a woman without the Nav 1.7 a dose of naloxone and she too became able to feel pain. Therefore, this proves that the Nav 1.7 is the key to long term pain management and maybe even elimination. 

Personal Reflection:
This is interesting because being able to cure pain would be amazing for the medical industry. I personally know so many people who's quality of life has been decreased due to daily pain. For example, I worked for a farmer in high school who had injured his lower body in a motorcycle wreck. He was left unable to retain his balance and he is always in pain. The idea that medicine could completely heal him without the worry of dependency or side effects would be incredible.

Correlation: 
The article walks the reader through the trial process. We have talked a lot about this in class. First testing with the mice and then tons of FDA stuff to be cleared. Then it can move to human testing. It also relates to the movie about Breast Cancer that we watched in class. Because the new war of fighting Breast Cancer seemed so much more efficient, everyone wanted to do it, but it hadn't been properly tested and the consequences were devastating.