Genome Chapter 17: Death

   Ridley opens chapter 17 by introducing the idea that, occasionally, there will be times in which cells will reproduce when they are not typically supposed to do so.  Delving further in, Ridley notes that this is the basis for cancer.  Cancer is the uncontrolled and detrimental reproduction of cells.  This uncontrolled reproduction causes masses of cells called tumors that can severely inhibit and damage bodily functions.  Often, death follows untreatable tumors.  According to the chapter, chromosome 17 is home to gene TP53.  This gene is central because it controls and suppresses rogue cancer cells.  This gene is integral to stopping cells or tissues from becoming cancerous.  In contrast, oncogenes promote cell growth and, if left unchecked, will cause cancer.  It is also important to note that tumor suppressing genes may also cause cancer if left unchecked. Moving on, Ridley expands on the concept of mutator genes that cause cancer.  Additionally, various types of cancers are explained and efforts made by scientists to employ proteins as a cancer drug are elaborated on.