Laron syndrome (LS) is an extremely rare medical disorder characterized by short stature and other physical abnormalities. Yet those afflicted with LS appear to be immune to a range of life-threatening conditions, including cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. LS is so rare that just 350 known cases have been recorded globally. Interestingly, a disproportionate number of these live in Ecuador. And it's in this South American nation that researchers are working on ways to harness LS' beneficial health effects. So, what causes this uncommon condition, and why is a genetic mutation proving so effective against some of our most notorious illnesses?
Click through this gallery and learn more about this little-known medical anomaly.