After recent studies have been done, scientists have confirmed that they have found a specific gene in the body to determine if a child will go through Crohn’s disease or Ulcerative Colitis. The discovery for this gene also helps scientists find a potential cure for both diseases if it is easy to spot the gene. Although the gene is the same for both diseases, the two differ from each other. Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s are both chronic inflammatory diseases found in the intestines although in U.C. patients the inflammation is found in the inner lining of the colon while Crohn’s is found deeper in the intestinal wall and is usually spotted in both large and small intestines. The only problem with finding this gene is that some patient’s disease is not originally from genetics, but environmental reasons, such as smoking. The doctor, who carried out this study, concluded that “the interactions between genetics and environment are responsible for most cases.” Luckily finding this gene will do some good for those children who are beginning to suffer from either of these diseases at an early age. Some do only get the disease from genetics and therefore can start either early treatment or possibly prevent the disease.
