ISSN 2756-3812
International Journal of Medical Advances and Discovery ISSN: 5414-9203 Vol. 1 (2), pp.013-019, November, 2014.© International Scholars Journals
Review
Enhanced discovery of disease genes and availability of DNA- based diagnostic methods
Nwafor D. Celine
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Benin, Edo, Nigeria.
Email.[email protected]
Accepted 05 October, 2014
Abstract
Contrary to the skepticism that characterized the planning stages of the human genome project, the technology and sequence data resulting from the project are set to revolutionize medical practice for good. The expected benefits include: improved discovery of disease genes, which will lead to improved knowledge on the genetic basis of diseases; availability of DNA- based diagnostic methods, which will find widespread application in preimplantation diagnosis, carrier screening, pre-symptomatic testing and population screening; the availability of more effective and more tolerant drugs, which will result in more effective therapies characterized by higher potency and reduced incidence of adverse reactions. However, there are still a number of technological, ethical, legal and social obstacles that must be addressed before these medical advances are incorporated into routine clinical practice. To justify the huge investments in the human genome project, the new advancements should be affordable by all, and must not result in a further widening of the gap between the quality of healthcare available in the resource-rich and the resource-poor countries.
Key words: Human genome, genomics, medicine, therapy, diagnosis, metabolise.