On a recent television programme dealing with how research funds were allocated, a few interesting points were made. First, there has been a huge amount of interest and investment in research into genetics in recent years, to the detriment of other specialities that are still competing for the same money. There may now be a backlash, because the hoped for results are still so far away.

The reason that research seems slow, according to one geneticist, is that we have a flawed understanding of how genetics work. We think of our genetics as a basic programme to which we have to add or subtract information to get a desired result. He likened it to a society, the pattern of which is dictated by any number of factors conjoining to produce an effect. Just as adding or subtracting a few people will have a negligible effect on how society orders itself, our idea of a magic bullet to cure our ills genetically is over simplified.

Relating this to CAH and it's many types and various causes, it seemed like a good analogy. Like you all I hope they find a cure, but let's not have unrealistic expectations. Sorry if this seems pessimistic. A lecturer on CAH last year started his talk by saying "The first goal of CAH management is survival..."!! I'd love a cure, but I'm thankful for the treatment.