Ride For Life: RNA interference could turn off ALS code

INDIANAPOLIS -- A development in RNA and gene research could lead to new treatment for Lou Gehrig's disease, diabetes and other disorders, Staying Healthy's Stacia Matthews reported Monday.

A technique called RNA interference aims to turn off a disease's code. CytRx Corp. says a compound using this technique has been able to knock out a version of Lou Gehrig's disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) in mice.

"If you have a gene that causes Lou Gehrig's disease, and you inject this compound into the body, it would directly go to that gene and kill it so you don't get Lou Gehrig's disease or it won't progress," CytRx Corp.'s Steve Kriegsman said.

Science magazine called RNA interference the breakthrough of the year, Matthews reported.