"Genetic Engineering May Cut Risk of Blood Infection in Hemophilia"

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1990. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

"Genetic Engineering May Cut Risk of Blood Infection in Hemophilia"

New York Times (12/27/90), P. A16

Abstract: Recent large-scale tests of recombinant factor VIII, a genetically engineered blood-clotting agent, suggests it works as well as natural factor VIII derived from blood plasma. The finding suggests that hemophilia patients and others could be spared the risk of blood-borne diseases such as HIV. In the current New England Journal of Medicine, Jeanne Lusher and colleagues of Children's Hospital in Detroit say hemophiliacs could take preventive doses routinely to control bleeding. Early in the AIDS epidemic factor VIII was widely contaminated with HIV and 60 percent of hemophiliacs were infected. Although purified natural factor VIII is free of HIV, there is risk from other blood-borne pathogens when plasma is used. The new factor VIII is made by the insertion of a human gene into animal cells, which produce the protein clotting substance. Related Story: WSJ (12/27) P. B6

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