One of the main reasons for studying the origins and nature of human genetic variation is that the similarities and differences in the type and frequencies of genetic variations among populations can have a profound impact on studies that attempt to understand the influence of genes on disease risk. For example, some genetic variations, like …
Pharmacogenetics is the study of how people respond to drug therapy. Through research and multiple studies, it has been confirmed that individuals often respond differently to the same drug therapy. This is typically due to one’s genetic makeup, but overall health, diet, and environmental factors also play a significant role in how a person responds …
Health is greatly influenced by one’s genetics. Nearly every cell in the body carries an entire genome full of variations as the template for the development of its protein machinery. Therefore, it can be said that genetic variations impact all cellular, biochemical, physiological, and morphological aspects of a human being. For this reason, the majority …
A prime example of a single-gene disorder is sickle cell disease. This refers to an autosomal recessive blood disorder caused by a variant of the β-globin gene called sickle hemoglobin (Hb S). With sickle cell disease, a single nucleotide substitution (T→A) in the sixth codon of the β-globin gene results in the substitution of valine …
Genetic susceptibility refers to a person’s increased chance of developing a particular disease based on their genetic makeup.Inherited genetic variation has been studied for over 100 years. Geneticists examine how different genes can increase a person’s risk of developing certain diseases. Genetic susceptibility studies have been done in two ways with different points of focus. …
As we learn more about how a person’s genetics may make them more susceptible to PTSD, we can develop guidelines and focus on prevention and treatment strategies.
The human genome project was a huge undertaking. Researchers set about labeling and identifying all the genes of the human body which number in the billions.
