Rise of the clones

Researchers discover new clues about a recently identified blood cell condition known as clonal hematopoiesis, implicated in hematologic cancers, cardiovascular illness. Surprisingly, the study reveals that inherited genetic variants can drive the condition by fueling additional mutations later in life. The findings can help inform ways to gauge disease risk based on specific mutations, develop strategies to avert disease. Clonal hematopoiesis is estimated to affect more than 1 in 10 people older than 65.