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In defense of genes
BY JOAQUIN
ORAMAS
GENES are being put on trial, in spite of the fact
that they make a considerable contribution to
achieving longevity, even to the age of 120 or more.
We frequently read about it in the press: the gene
that causes breast cancer appears, the gene that
causes diabetes is identified, they discover the
gene for stomach cancer, just to name a few
examples.
Reflecting on this, Dr. Concepción Campa observes
that nobody has asked how it is that each of those
genes mutated, and why did they all register such a
significant change?
The
well-known researcher, who is director of the Carlos
J. Finlay Institute, reflects on the evolution of
genes, which are chromosome particles that produce
the appearance of hereditary characteristics in
humans, animals and plants.
Dr.
Campa explains that their evolution begins with
adaptation to the environment and that all genetic
changes in humans, animals and plants are provoked
by their relationship to nature.
Commenting on current concepts regarding genes, she
notes that, if it is understood that genes have
undergone changes in adapting to the environment,
then why is it only understood for the past, and not
for the present?
Thus, she explains, it should not simply be
announced that the gene for breast cancer has
appeared but that it should also be explained that
one of those particles mutated to give rise to that
disease “because we’re doing something wrong.” That
is when a reverse evolution occurs, in which mutated
genes originate disease and death among the
population.
What
is needed is not to locate the gene in order to put
it on trial, but to discover why it mutated and the
reasons for the existence of other genes that are
provoking so many illnesses, she said.
Dr.
Campa’s theory is based on the idea that genes
mutate toward disease because they have no other
option and that their mutation results from the
things that human beings do wrong. She especially
emphasizes imbalances in diet and other activities,
and says that we are eating in an unbalanced way,
that we have unbalanced emotions because of
unbalanced diets and that we eat and drink
substances that are toxic.
In
the same way, we have a harmful impact on the
natural environment, resulting in negative
consequences for society in terms of water, air and
food.
“How
can we expect to have a balanced society if people
are breathing, drinking and eating that which is
tainted, full of chemicals and horrors? Air, water
and food are not pure, they’re not natural. How, in
such conditions, are we going to expect a balanced
society and balanced individuals? “ she warns.
The
outstanding researcher asserts that ideas around
genetic diseases could lead us to miss the point and
not see the true reasons for things.
She
cites a recent report on the discovery in the United
States of one gene that produces breast cancer in
the right breast, and another that produces it in
the left. According to that horrifying diagnosis,
she adds, women who present both genes thus have the
probability of suffering the affliction in both
breasts.
And
illustrious U.S. doctors have come up with the
solution of removing both breasts at an early stage
in such cases, even without any manifestation of the
cancer, in order to avoid the terrible disease.
If
we were to accept such a ridiculous solution, Dr.
Campa asks, what would those doctors do if they were
to discover the gene for brain cancer or for stomach
cancer – remove them too?
She
calls the idea a mental aberration, given that the
patient unfortunately has inherited a predisposition
to the disease as a consequence of the harm done by
imbalances in our forefathers. The solution, she
says, should be to bring the patient into balance so
that the infection would never invade him or her.
Insisting on the role of genes and food in heredity,
she revealed that one’s nutrition has an impact on
the next five generations. ”When I used to eat
before having children, I was also taking
responsibility for my grandchildren,
great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and
great-great-great-grandchildren,” she says,
stressing the importance of genes and an adequate
diet in reaching the goal of living to be 120 or
older.
She
warned that the errors of five previous generations
are impacting on the current one, which in its turn
is endangering the following ones because of its
numerous deficiencies, despite scientific and
technological advances. It is not known what will
happen to future generations if humanity does not
realize that it must eat adequately, respect nature
and live in harmony with its environment.
It
is possible that we may never even reach another
five generations – much less the longevity that we
aspire to – if we fail to take these elements into
account, Dr. Campa says.
She
concludes with a thought of José Martí’s:
“Eating well, which is not eating luxuriously, but
eating healthy, well-seasoned foods, is the first
necessity for maintaining good physical and mental
health. The anguish being experienced all over the
world in the age of transition that befalls us to
exist in makes it now more necessary than ever, to
immediately and carefully repair the forces that are
being lost to a degree greater than at any other
time.” Martí was not a doctor, but he was wise, and
he stated the above in his feature on the America
Health Exhibition in New York, in May 1884.
For more information:
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