musings on genome medicine the value of family history沉思在基因组医学家庭历史的价值.pdfVIP

Musings Musings on genome medicine: the value of family history Angus John Clarke Address: Institute of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK. Email: clarkeaj@cardiff.ac.uk and some knowledge of the diseases that have affected the Abstract various individuals but also a rich understanding of social Will the routine availability of genome sequence information on individuals render family history information obsolete? I argue context, occupation, family relationships (who talks to that it will not, both because the taking of a family history has whom), and perhaps lifestyles and habits too. The process other uses for the health professional, and because genome of collecting this information allows a relationship to sequence data on their own omit the effects of numerous factors develop between professional and patient, which is useful important for modifying risks of disease. These include infor- to the practitioner and valued by the patient [3]. Through mation derived from factors downstream of genetic variants and this, one can often sense the real concerns of the patient or from upstream epigenetic effects. Further difficulties arise with uncertainties relating to gene-gene and gene-environment inter- client: what do they fear? Do they feel destined to follow actions, which may take decades to resolve if their resolution is the pattern of health and illness of one or more relatives? even possible. On whose behalf are they most apprehensive? These