HUM-MOLGEN archive: DIAG: focal dermal hypoplasia-cell line/ comment on "HIV/mosquito"

************************************************************** HUM-MOLGEN DIAGnostics/Clinical Research ************************************************************** This DIAG message contains 2 submessage(s): 1) Focal Dermal Hypoplasia/ Cell Line 2) Comment on "HIV/mosquitoes" Carlo Gambacorti MD, Editor, Human Molecular Genetics network Diagnostics/Clinical Research Section ************************************************************** ************************************************************** Dear Colleague, We have identified a girl with classic Focal Dermal Hypoplasia (or Goltz syndrome). There is no evidence of an Xp22 deletion on conventional cytogenetics. We have established a fibroblast cell line from this child - is anyone interested in obtaining some cells for research purposes? Yours sincerely, Graeme Suthers ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr Graeme Suthers tel (int)-61-8-204 7375 Department of Medical Genetics fax (int)-61-8-204 6088 Women's & Children's Hospital North Adelaide SA 5006 AUSTRALIA ---------------------------------------------------------------------- <<< email: gsuthers@medicine.adelaide.edu.au >>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ************************************************************** I wish to congratulate the editor for his moderating comments to the replies on the question from Claude. As scientists we have a duty to respond to legitimate questions and exercise temperance in our communications on these matters. I am also in full agreement with the requirement for citations of evidence presented. I was disturbed by the reply from Friedrich who was apparently irritated by the original query and warned against laymen pushing quackery. Fair warning but I think a little too much made out of an innocent query. Let us at the same time recognise the need to be able to communicate without intimidation in this wonderful medium. We are all too often criticised for not conveying clearly enough the message of science to the wider community. An environment that allows free enquiry (with or without intemperate replies) is to be favoured rather than one that exercises a censorship of sorts. Carlo's response gives me great faith in his editorial capabilities. The thirst for knowledge drove most of us into these careers; let's try and be a little more sympathetic to those new to the field or those from without who muster the urge to enquire. EXMOND DECRUZ <EDECRUZ@WIS.RIV.CSU.EDU.AU> Date: Fri, 2 Jun 1995 14:28:27 GMT-10