Final answer:
Genetically informed medicine uses individuals' genetic profiles to tailor medical treatment and preventive measures, enabling personalized healthcare and potential gene therapy. Five diseases that can be detected or whose susceptibility can be predicted by genetic testing include Sickle Cell Anemia, breast and ovarian cancer (BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations), Hemophilia, Color Blindness, and Huntington's Disease. Predictive genomic analysis is more definitive for single-gene disorders than for complex polygenic diseases.
Step-by-step explanation:
Genetically informed medicine allows for a personalized approach to healthcare, where treatments and preventive measures can be tailored to an individual's genetic profile. This approach considers the genetic basis of heritable diseases and involves the use of biotechnology to manipulate and potentially fix mutant genes. Moreover, the prospects of genetic diagnosis and gene therapy can lead to more effective interventions for diseases with a known genetic cause.
Genetically Informed Medicine involves screening for genetic defects before treatment, helping in designing personalized treatment plans, and predicting disease susceptibility. For example, women with breast cancer can undergo genetic testing for specific mutations and based on the results, family members may also be screened. Offering genetic testing to relatives helps in assessing the risk and planning for periodic screening.
Diseases Detected or Susceptibility Predicted by Genetic Testing
- Sickle Cell Anemia
- BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations leading to breast and ovarian cancer
- Hemophilia
- Color Blindness
- Huntington's Disease
Predicting disease risk at the individual level involves analyzing a healthy individual's genome and using that data to predict future health risks, such as heart disease, and lifestyle-related susceptibilities. However, predictive power is limited to single-gene defects and can be complicated by polygenic diseases, which involve multiple genes and environmental factors.