John Gormley
Ceist:597 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that certain genetic groups are more susceptible to new variant CJD; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24675/00]
Vol. 525 No. 2
597 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that certain genetic groups are more susceptible to new variant CJD; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24675/00]
I understand that there is a genetic predisposition to new variant CJD, VCJD. Codon 129 has a gene which gives rise to three genetic possibilities – homozygous for valine, heterozygous for methionine valine and homozygous for methionine. To date, only people who have been homozygous for methionine have contracted VCJD.