A variation in a single gene plays a significant role in the development of a cleft lip or cleft palate, says a major international study involving almost 2,000 families.The discovery -- the first of its kind -- should improve genetic counseling for families at increased risk for these types of birth defects. It could also speed research into preventing cleft deformities before they start."Because we now know that this gene is involved in clefting, it gives us some insights into the other kinds of genes or environmental factors that we might want to look at,” said lead researcher Dr. Jeffrey C. Murray, of the University of Iowa.His team’s findings appear in the Aug. 19 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
