GIG - Genetic Interest Group

GIG, which stands for Genetic Interest Group, is an organisation that is formed from a variety of charities that work with genetic disorders. The aim of the organisation is increase awareness of genetic disorders as a whole so that people suffering from a related illness may have access to better treatment and facilities. It also aims to increase knowledge about genetic disorders and thus alter opinions and challenge prejudice.

We are made up from our genes and everyone carries genes that may be potentially harmful. Fo some, these genes may be in recessive form and so will never affect our health. For others, a harmful gene may be triggered by an outside factor, such as a change in our surrounding environment.

Genetics can become increasingly complicated if the gene that is 'faulty' is very rare or only exists in a very small number of people. It can also be very difficult to treat genetic disorders where the gene has become harmful due to certain environmental factors.

13,000 people born in the UK every year have some form of genetic disorder and 5.5% of the population will develop a condition by the time they reach the age of 25. This figures rises to 60% later in life if we count the number of illnesses in which genetic play a part, but are not the 'causation' of the illness. Ethic background can affect susceptibility to genetic disorder. An example of this is sickle cell anemia, where the frequency is greater in those people with an African background.