LONDON: The genetic trigger for "stone man syndrome", a rare but devastating condition that turns muscle into bone to imprison its victims in a second skeleton, has been identified.
The discovery of a single gene that causes fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, or FOP, offers hope of an effective therapy for the disorder, which begins in childhood and has no cure. ... FOP is one of the rarest diseases, affecting about one in two million individuals." - theaus
Photo: A CAT scan shows the back of an unnamed 12-year-old patient of Dr. Frederick Kaplan, showing bone formation typical of rare FOP disease.
Wow, that's a horrible disease. Be glad every day for the health you have. Understanding the genetics may help science to grow new bone and prevent osteoporosis (bone loss). We are really starting to crack our own genetic code. Amazing possibilities around the corner!
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