Human DNA Could Lead to new COVID-19 Treatments

University of Edinburgh's Roslin Institute's researchers announced they have identified 'potential treatments for COVID-19 after the discovery of (5) genes associated with the most severe form of the disease. Genes involved in (2) molecular processes, antiviral immunity, and lung inflammation, were pinpointed.

They stated 'Genetic evidence is second only to clinical trials as a way to tell which treatments will be effective in a disease.'

Dr. Kenneth Baillie, the study's project chief investigator, said in a press release: "This is a stunning realization of the promise of human genetics to help understand critical illness. Just like in sepsis and influenza, in COVID-19, damage to the lungs is caused by our own immune system, rather than the virus itself. Our genetic results provide a roadmap through the complexity of immune signals, showing the route to key drug targets."