Individual genome sequencing: make no mistake!
According to James P. Evans, a geneticist and practicing physician, professor at the University of North Carolina, the successes of modern genomics are the most important scientific achievements, but at the moment their practical potential cannot be realized.
In relative terms, the sequence of the human genome is 99.9% identical in all people. However, in absolute terms, we are all very different from each other. One thousandth of the differences in individual fragments of genomes provides more than 3 million differences between any two individuals who do not have a kinship relationship.
Some of these differences are important from a medical point of view, because they cause predisposition to various diseases and reactions to medications. There are also other differences of interest, especially concerning heredity and behavioral characteristics, the study of which can partially satisfy the curiosity inherent in a person by nature.
The sequencing of the human genome, completed in 2003, led to the emergence of commercial organizations offering genetic testing for a fee ranging from one to three thousand US dollars. According to Evans, this service can attract the attention of people hoping to receive valuable information about the risk of developing diseases and effective medical advice on reducing this risk.
However, to date, in most cases, genome sequencing can reveal only a small increase in risk – 1-2 times relative to the average values. At the same time, only for some of the diseases, the predisposition to which can be detected at present, there are really effective preventive measures to prevent their development. In addition, it is unlikely that receiving such information can encourage a person to make a significant lifestyle change. (The obvious and well-known harm to health from smoking and overeating ...)
Most practitioners admit that they are not geneticists and do not know how to use the available genetic information. Therefore, there is a high probability that genetic information can cause harm to a patient who will either consider himself protected from a particular ailment, or, conversely, will fall into a state of anxiety. It is also possible that a patient who is overly worried about his health will go for various traumatic diagnostic and preventive procedures.
Evans does not detract from the extreme importance of sequencing the genomes of various animals and humans, but he emphasizes that there is a huge difference between having this information and being able to use it for the benefit of humans.
Professor Evans' lecture on "Your Biological Biography" was held as part of the World Science Festival, held in New York from May 28 to June 1.
Portal "Eternal youth" www.vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of ScienceDaily
03.06.2008