Dr. Geoffrey Woods of the University of Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, reported in the journal Nature that while studying a family in Pakistan, they have discovered a gene that could lead to better pain treatments in the future. The family has a genetic mutation (involving a gene know as SCN9A) that causes them to feel no pain.

"The discovery is really striking. No other single gene deletion has such a dramatic effect on pain perception without other deleterious consequences," Wood said in an interview."

Mutant gene blocks sense of pain - BBC News

Pakistani boy leads scientists to pain discovery - Reuters