As David outlined, the condition has its origins in prehistoric Celtic populations and is linked closely with the Irish diaspora: the mutation \u201coriginated in Ireland at least 4,000 years ago and has been contained within the island of Ireland ever since, until we started spread our wings a bit in the last couple of centuries\u201d.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/projects.alc.manchester.ac.uk\/double-helix-history\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Untitled-1-225x300.png\")
<\/p>\n
What is particularly interesting is that this condition became prevalent as \u201cwhen people were living 35-40 years in the Bronze Age it was actually a survival advantage\u201d to have additional iron in your blood stream \u2013 even today \u201cwe know that athletes will take iron supplements to boost their blood cell count and their stamina\u201d.<\/p>\n
Modern life has, however, led to the mutation\u2019s negative impacts: \u201cnowadays we live much longer and the iron continues to build up . . . into their 50s iron has been building up in haemocromatotics to toxic levels and causes a lot of damage\u201d.<\/p>\n
Although not curable, the condition is reasonably straightforwardly treatable by regular venesection (blood-letting) \u2013 the key to mitigating its damaging effects to organs, joints, and mental health is therefore to increase awareness of the condition and its transmission \u2013 this is where the term \u201cCeltic Curse\u201d plays an interesting role. As David explained: \u201cwe are conscious that the word curse is a little bit controversial and edgy, it does even have religious connotations in some cases, but we do need to spread the word and it\u2019s a phrase which helps that happen. People can relate to being Celtic and it trips off the tongue. We know for a fact that when we use it we get radio coverage, media coverage, and if that\u2019s going to save lives then we think that\u2019s important\u201d.<\/p>\n
Whilst sensationalism and hyperbole can potentially have damaging impacts on public understanding and consciousness around health and science, particularly in relation to DNA, in this case all publicity is good publicity and there are a number of examples of the effectiveness of this approach here<\/a>, here<\/a>, and here<\/a>.<\/p>\n As with many aspects of genetic family history, DNA testing is a \u201cmixed bag\u201d – \u201cnot everyone who has the mutations will go on to load iron . . . blood chemistry tests are usually the starting point\u201d. \u201cWhere DNA testing is hugely important is if someone is confirmed as being haemochromatotic – then direct family members should be tested \u2013 we know that that identifies other patients who are loading iron and didn\u2019t know beforehand\u201d.<\/p>\n Those conversations with living relatives often lead to reflections and, potentially, research on family history: \u201cmany patients talk about illnesses their parent and grandparents and other family members have had that we know now in hindsight have been caused by iron overload . . . They know they lost a grandparent to, say, liver cancer but it won\u2019t say haemochromatosis on the death certificate\u201d.<\/p>\n Linking up with Double-Helix History and taking part in our public event was a particularly good fit for Haemochromatosis UK, and had a direct impact on the audience, as David explained: \u201cWe had a room full of people there \u2013 one person was affected, perhaps 10% of people have heard of the condition. After the talk I already know there\u2019s at least 4 people who are going to talk to their doctor about the condition. I wouldn\u2019t wish it on anybody but if we\u2019ve helped someone identify a problem then we\u2019ll be pleased\u201d.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_post_nav _builder_version=”3.0.106″ in_same_term=”off” show_prev=”on” show_next=”on” prev_text=”Previous” next_text=”Next” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off” \/][et_pb_comments _builder_version=”3.0.106″ show_avatar=”on” show_reply=”on” show_count=”on” background_layout=”light” header_font_size_tablet=”51″ header_line_height_tablet=”2″ custom_button=”on” button_icon_placement=”right” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_use_icon=”off” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off” \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”Related posts” _builder_version=”3.0.106″ background_layout=”light” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Contact Us” text_text_color=”#aaaaaa” parent_locked=”off” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” module_class=”contact-us” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n +44 (0) 161 306 6000<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Find Us Title” background_layout=”dark” text_text_color=”#ffffff” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Address” background_layout=”dark” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” module_id=”address” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n The University of Manchester [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Connect Title” background_layout=”dark” text_text_color=”#ffffff” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code admin_label=”Social Media” custom_css_main_element=”||” parent_locked=”off”]<ul class=”inlineList footer-socialIcons”><!– [et_pb_line_break_holder] –> <li><!– [et_pb_line_break_holder] –> <a href=”https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TheUniversityOfManchester” onclick=”var href = this.href; 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} }); return false;”><!– [et_pb_line_break_holder] –> <img class=”lazy” src=”\/\/assets.manchester.ac.uk\/phase1\/templates\/images\/icon-instagram-50.png” width=”40″ height=”40″ data-original=”\/\/assets.manchester.ac.uk\/phase1\/templates\/images\/icon-instagram-50.png” alt=”Instagram page for The University of Manchester” style=”display: inline;”><!– [et_pb_line_break_holder] –> <noscript><img src=”\/\/assets.manchester.ac.uk\/phase1\/templates\/images\/icon-instagram-50.png” width=”40″ height=”40″ alt=”Instagram page for The University of Manchester” \/><\/noscript><!– [et_pb_line_break_holder] –> <\/a><!– [et_pb_line_break_holder] –> <\/li><!– [et_pb_line_break_holder] –> <\/ul>\n [\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We were lucky enough to speak with David Head of Haemochromatosis UK following his talk at our Family History, Science, and Irishness event in June. As we learned from his informative talk, haemochromatosis is a genetic condition which, if untreated, can lead to the build up of iron to toxic levels in organs, tissues, and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":121,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" We were lucky enough to speak with David Head of Haemochromatosis UK<\/a> following his talk at our Family History, Science, and Irishness event in June. As we learned from his informative talk, haemochromatosis is a genetic condition which, if untreated, can lead to the build up of iron to toxic levels in organs, tissues, and blood. Pertinently for Double-Helix History, combatting the disease is intimately tied into improving public understanding of DNA and genetic family history.<\/p> As David outlined, the condition has its origins in prehistoric Celtic populations and is linked closely with the Irish diaspora: the mutation \u201coriginated in Ireland at least 4,000 years ago and has been contained within the island of Ireland ever since, until we started spread our wings a bit in the last couple of centuries\u201d.<\/p> What is particularly interesting is that this condition became prevalent as \u201cwhen people were living 35-40 years in the Bronze Age it was actually a survival advantage\u201d to have additional iron in your blood stream \u2013 even today \u201cwe know that athletes will take iron supplements to boost their blood cell count and their stamina\u201d.<\/p> Modern life has, however, led to the mutation\u2019s negative impacts: \u201cnowadays we live much longer and the iron continues to build up . . . into their 50s iron has been building up in haemocromatotics to toxic levels and causes a lot of damage\u201d.<\/p> Although not curable, the condition is reasonably straightforwardly treatable by regular venesection (blood-letting) \u2013 the key to mitigating its damaging effects to organs, joints, and mental health is therefore to increase awareness of the condition and its transmission \u2013 this is where the term \u201cCeltic Curse\u201d plays an interesting role. As David explained: \u201cwe are conscious that the word curse is a little bit controversial and edgy, it does even have religious connotations in some cases, but we do need to spread the word and it\u2019s a phrase which helps that happen. People can relate to being Celtic and it trips off the tongue. We know for a fact that when we use it we get radio coverage, media coverage, and if that\u2019s going to save lives then we think that\u2019s important\u201d.<\/p> Whilst sensationalism and hyperbole can potentially have damaging impacts on public understanding and consciousness around health and science, particularly in relation to DNA, in this case all publicity is good publicity and there are a number of examples of the effectiveness of this approach here<\/a>, here<\/a>, and here<\/a>.<\/p> As with many aspects of genetic family history, DNA testing is a \u201cmixed bag\u201d - \u201cnot everyone who has the mutations will go on to load iron . . . blood chemistry tests are usually the starting point\u201d. \u201cWhere DNA testing is hugely important is if someone is confirmed as being haemochromatotic - then direct family members should be tested \u2013 we know that that identifies other patients who are loading iron and didn\u2019t know beforehand\u201d.<\/p> Those conversations with living relatives often lead to reflections and, potentially, research on family history: \u201cmany patients talk about illnesses their parent and grandparents and other family members have had that we know now in hindsight have been caused by iron overload . . . They know they lost a grandparent to, say, liver cancer but it won\u2019t say haemochromatosis on the death certificate\u201d.<\/p> Linking up with Double-Helix History and taking part in our public event was a particularly good fit for Haemochromatosis UK, and had a direct impact on the audience, as David explained: \u201cWe had a room full of people there \u2013 one person was affected, perhaps 10% of people have heard of the condition. After the talk I already know there\u2019s at least 4 people who are going to talk to their doctor about the condition. I wouldn\u2019t wish it on anybody but if we\u2019ve helped someone identify a problem then we\u2019ll be pleased\u201d.<\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-356","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorised"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/double-helix-history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/356","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/double-helix-history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/double-helix-history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/double-helix-history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/121"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/double-helix-history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=356"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/double-helix-history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/356\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/double-helix-history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=356"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/double-helix-history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=356"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/double-helix-history\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=356"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"http:\/\/projects.alc.manchester.ac.uk\/double-helix-history\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Untitled22-278x300.png\")
<\/p>\nRelated<\/h1>\n
Related posts:<\/h3>
Stephen McGann talks about his book 'Flesh and Blood'<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/a>
Slides from 'DNA and Identity' conference, 25 August, Canberra<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/a>
Blog 1: starting out, Marmite, Ancestry events<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div>
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