The Disappointing Genomic Revolution
Arthur Allen at Slate isn’t feeling too optimistic about the utility of genomic information to develop personalized medicine. He cites a recent literature review by Joel Hirschhorn, a geneticist at the Broad Institute, which found that only six of the 166 gene-disease associations have been consistently proven in multiple studies. I don’t think any genetics researcher would be surprised by this finding since studies recruit participants from different population strata not to mention that strength of associations differ by sample size.
And just like me, Allen has doubts about companies, such as Sciona Inc. (which I mentioned earlier today), that claim they can tailor diets and nutritional advice specifically for your unique genetic make-up. Sciona co-founder Rosalynn Gill-Garrison told him that DNA tests don’t necessarily give any truly helpful information but it does have a “magical aura” and a “sense of finality”.
For the foreseeable future, environmental effects will swamp the visible genetic ones. That is, no matter what your genotype is, the best health advice is to eat well and not overmuch, get exercise, and stop smoking. And in general make love, not war.
For this you should pay $500?
I couldn’t agree more.
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POSTED IN: General Genetics and Health
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