Superhero DNA desired by pharmaceutical researchers for new drugs

They don't have the ability to fly or come with laser eyes, but there are people who exist today with the "superhero" genes. Similar to the figures portrayed in media, these people have ordinary lives with extraordinary physical abilities because of uncommon biological and genetic characteristics. This DNA is desired to save humanity from a variety of diseases. There are only few people from all over the world with this DNA, and they were discovered by accident. Now the multi-billion pharmaceutical industry is out to get some of their genes for research.

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - Steven Pete has a congenital insensitivity to pain - he can have cuts and burns but not feel pain. His condition comes from a rare mutation of genes, and like the other "superhero genes," the traits are benign on the parents but mutated into different and harmful genes.

Timothy Dreyer has sclerosteosis, a condition of dense bones that can survive accidents like nothing happened, contrary to the usual injuries suffered.

These genetic outliers are being asked for by research participation, even giants like the Amgen and Genentech drug companies. The painkiller market is stands by itself at $18 billion annually, proving the medical research and industry is viable across time.

They are currently pushing more into the intensive and extensive studies on genetic deviance, like Pete and Dreyer.

"It is our obligation to turn it into something useful," said Andreas Grauer, Amgen's global development lead for the osteoporosis drug.

This year, it is expected that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will approve the cholesterol-lowering drug from Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, which is estimated to bring $12,000.00 per patient a year. Companies are also investing and acquiring databases to use genetic information stored for further development.

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