theology

Cystic Fibrosis Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is an incurable, recessive, genetic disorder. There is a gene that everyone has, called the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. Everyone has two copies of this gene, inherited from their parents. Anyone can be a carrier of CF if they inherit one mutated CFTR gene from a parent. Carriers do not have Cystic Fibrosis, but they can pass the mutated gene to their children. If a child inherits a mutated copy of the CTFR gene from each parent, the child will unfortunately have Cystic Fibrosis. CF causes thick, viscous mucus formation and buildup that damages many organs, most notably, the lungs (Jaques et al., 2020). The mutated CFTR gene causes the CFTR protein to be dysfunctional. With CF, there is dysfunction in the transport of chloride ions to the surface of cells. As a result, sticky mucus builds up in several organs such as the lungs, liver, intestines, sweat glands, and pancreas (Chen et al., 2021). The thickened mucus blocks pathways. CF can affect the respiratory tract, sinuses, and digestive and reproductive systems. CF is diagnosed in young children, as young as newborn infants. It can present numerous symptoms and cause other illnesses. Cystic Fibrosis is a systemic illness that affects the entire body. Symptoms of CF may include jaundice, failure to grow, thrive or gain weight, anemia, gastrointestinal problems, blocked intestines, and frequent and reoccurring infections in the lungs and sinuses (Yu & Sharma, 2022). People with Cystic Fibrosis may experience any number of illnesses, particularly illnesses and infections relating to the respiratory system. sinuses, digestive system, and pancreas. A major CF complication is pulmonary disease, which is the most common cause of death in people who suffer from Cystic Fibrosis (Chen et al., 2021). Asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, and other respiratory problems are common. Treatment and management of CF have improved in recent years, with increases in quality of life and lifespans. Since there is no cure for CF, treatment largely involves treating infections as they arise, maintaining healthy lung function, and clearing mucus from airways. (Yu & Sharma, 2022). Patients may also receive CFTR modulator therapies, which aim to improve the function of the CFTR protein. Patients with CF may be given mucus thinners and antibiotics. A lung transplant may be necessary; however, this usually occurs at the end-of-life stage.  Management of CF includes but is not limited to, life-long diet and nutrition management, receiving all the recommended immunizations and boosters, regular doctor visits, and psychological counseling. Science equips humans to participate in God’s redemptive work by increasing our knowledge and understanding of our design and how all life is interconnected. This knowledge leads to new treatments which increase the quality and quantity of life. John 10:10 tells us that sin steals, kills, and destroys and that Jesus came so that we may have life abundantly (New International Bible, 1978/2011). God gives us hope and science equips us to act upon that hope. Longer life spans give us more time to spread hope. Science allows us to temporarily fix things that have been broken by sin. We can cure and prevent diseases caused by our fallen, sinful nature. Finally, science has given

us ways to live better lives. We have more ways to show love and compassion to others. Cystic Fibrosis used to be a disease that only children had because they did not live past their early twenties. Now people with CF can live past their forties. Science can provide better treatments, more awareness, and more tender loving care. Good things do happen because of science and everything good comes from God.   References Chen, Q., Shen, Y., & Zheng, J. (2021). A review of cystic fibrosis: Basic and clinical aspects. Animal models and experimental medicine, 4(3), 220–232. https://doi.org/10.1002/ame2.12180 Links to an external site. Jaques, R., Shakeel, A., & Hoyle, C. (2020). Novel therapeutic approaches for the management of cystic fibrosis. Multidisciplinary respiratory medicine, 15(1), 690. https://doi.org/10.4081/ mrm.2020.690 Links to an external site. New International Bible. (2011). Zondervan. (Original work published 1978) Yu, E., & Sharma, S. (2022). Cystic Fibrosis. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ books/NBK493206/