Breath from Salt: A Deadly Genetic Disease, a New Era in Science, and the Patients and Families Who Changed Medicine Forever

Name: Breath from Salt: A Deadly Genetic Disease, a New Era in Science, and the Patients and Families Who Changed Medicine Forever
Price: 22.09 USD
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Rating: 4.8 (350 reviews)

4.8 of 5 Stars: Basic Sciences - Breath from Salt: A Deadly Genetic Disease, a New Era in Science, and the Patients and Families Who Changed Medicine Forever

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Book Synopsis: Recommended by Bill Gates and included in GatesNotes “Elaborating on the science as well as the business behind the fight against cystic fibrosis, Trivedi captures the emotions of the families, doctors, and scientists involved in the clinical trials and their ‘weeping with joy’ as new drugs are approved, and shows how cystic fibrosis, once a ‘death sentence,’ became, for many, a manageable condition. This is a rewarding and challenging work.” —Publishers Weekly

Cystic fibrosis was once a mysterious disease that killed infants and children. Now it could be the key to healing millions with genetic diseases of every type—from Alzheimer's and Parkinson's to diabetes and sickle cell anemia.

In 1974, Joey O'Donnell was born with strange symptoms. His insatiable appetite, incessant vomiting, and a relentless cough—which shook his tiny, fragile body and made it difficult to draw breath—confounded doctors and caused his parents agonizing, sleepless nights. After six sickly months, his salty skin provided the critical clue: he was one of thousands of Americans with cystic fibrosis, an inherited lung disorder that would most likely kill him before his first birthday.

The gene and mutation responsible for CF were found in 1989—discoveries that promised to lead to a cure for kids like Joey. But treatments unexpectedly failed and CF was deemed incurable. It was only after the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, a grassroots organization founded by parents, formed an unprecedented partnership with a fledgling biotech company that transformative leaps in drug development were harnessed to produce groundbreaking new treatments: pills that could fix the crippled protein at the root of this deadly disease.

From science writer Bijal P. Trivedi, Breath from Salt chronicles the riveting saga of cystic fibrosis, from its ancient origins to its identification in the dank autopsy room of a hospital basement, and from the CF gene’s celebrated status as one of the first human disease genes ever discovered to the groundbreaking targeted genetic therapies that now promise to cure it. Told from the perspectives of the patients, families, physicians, scientists, and philanthropists fighting on the front lines, Breath from Salt is a remarkable story of unlikely scientific and medical firsts, of setbacks and successes, and of people who refused to give up hope—and a fascinating peek into the future of genetics and medicine.

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Discover the extraordinary story of how a deadly genetic disease became the catalyst for a groundbreaking era in science and medicine. Breath from Salt is a captivating book that delves into the lives of patients and families who changed the course of medicine forever. Recommended by none other than Bill Gates himself and featured on GatesNotes, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the cutting-edge advancements in genetic research.

Unveiling the mysteries of cystic fibrosis, this book showcases how the once fatal disease has become a gateway to potentially healing millions with a wide range of genetic disorders. From Alzheimer's to diabetes, from Parkinson's to sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis research holds the promise of transformational treatments.

Take a journey back to 1974, when Joey O'Donnell's strange symptoms confounded doctors and left his parents despairing. Chronicled with immense empathy, Breath from Salt vividly describes the trials and triumphs of families affected by cystic fibrosis. Trivedi takes you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, from the depths of anguish to the heights of joy as groundbreaking drugs are approved and the once "death sentence" of cystic fibrosis is transformed into a manageable condition.

Witness the pivotal discoveries that paved the way towards a cure for cystic fibrosis. Learn about the momentous gene and mutation identification in 1989, which held the promise of a cure for children like Joey. However, hope turned to disappointment as initial treatments failed, leaving cystic fibrosis labeled as an incurable disease.

But the story doesn't end there. The formation of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and its groundbreaking partnership with a fledgling biotech company became a turning point in the fight against this deadly disease. Dive into the pages of Breath from Salt to explore how this partnership led to unprecedented advancements in drug development. Revolutionary new treatments emerged, targeting the root cause of cystic fibrosis with the potential to cure it once and for all.

Written with keen insights from science writer Bijal P. Trivedi, Breath from Salt is a gripping narrative that takes you behind the scenes of cystic fibrosis research. Experience the perspectives of patients, families, physicians, scientists, and philanthropists, each playing a crucial role in the pursuit of a cure. This book offers a tantalizing glimpse into the future of genetics and medicine, where targeted genetic therapies hold the key to transforming lives.

Don't miss out on this extraordinary journey. Grab your copy of Breath from Salt now and join the revolution in genetic medicine.

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