Asthma: The Latest in Asthma Research

<BODY> <h2>Asthma: The Latest in Asthma Research</h2><br> Asthma dates back to the ancient Egyptians, and early 19th-century physicians recorded the first accurate descriptions of it; however it is only now that this chronic disease has gone on the rampage. In most of the world's developed countries, it is now a significant public health issue. It is estimated that more than 150 million people across the globe suffer from asthma. The question is why? In the last few years, research groups around the world have been racing to hunt down the genes that underlie asthma, finding those genes will eventually lead to new treatments; it will also tell us more about the machinations of what is still a very mysterious disease. But genes can't create asthma on their own, nor can they be blamed for the increased rates of the disease. There must be something else, something to do with our lifestyle and environment. In this program we discover how researchers are working very hard to identify what it is that makes it so difficult for some people to breathe freely. Experts in this program include: <B>Dr. Euan Tovey, Dr. Guy Marks</B>, and <B>Professor Ann Woolcock</B> of the Institute of Respiratory Medicine, <B>Professor Peter Le Souef</B> of the Princess Margaret Hospital, <B>Dr. David Duffy</B> of the Queensland Inst. of Medical Research, and <B>Dr. Paul Foster</B> of the John Curtin School of Medical Research. Produced by ABC International, Inc. 07DR SCA 25 min. <A HREF="index.htm" target=_top>Home</a><br> </BODY>