Bloodlines: A Family Legacy

Synopsis

The production of normal red blood cells is a complex process involving many genes. Mutations in the DNA can cause changed haemoglobin and potentially fatal reductions in red cell counts, as in the disease thalassaemia, or in changed regulatory mechanisms resulting in many more red cells than normal, with a consequent increase in stamina. This film shows how medical scientists identified the ‘rich blood’ mutation in the family of a Finnish Olympic skier and explores the mechanisms by which a single change in a tiny fragment of DNA can have such profound effects on blood composition and speculates that the ‘rich blood’ mutation might be used to treat thalassaemia in the future.

Series

Health and Disease, Course U205

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Video; Videocassette. Standard formats. col. 24 min.

Year of production

1995

Availability

Sale; 2000 sale: £145.00 (+VAT +p&p)

Subjects

Medical sciences

Keywords

blood; DNA; genetics; thalassaemia

Production Company

Name

BBC Open University Productions

Distributor

Name

Open University Worldwide

Web

http://www.ouw.co.uk External site opens in new window

Phone

+44 (0) 1908 274066

Address

Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA

Notes

NB. As of May 2016 Open University Worldwide are no longer distributing DVDs. They have posted this message on their website: ‘Unfortunately Open University Worldwide Limited has decided that product sales are no longer viable given the reduced funding to Higher Education institutions and diminishing demand for the products we have traditionally stocked. At present the Open University Students Association (OUSA) will continue to sell the "Good Study Guide", and we are in discussion with other possible distributors to continue to make The Open University’s products available for purchase. As soon as we have any information on other channels of distribution we will update this notice’. Some products are still available via second hand dealers on Amazon.co.uk