Final answer:
The primary purpose of the genome-wide polygenic score (GPS) is predicting trait predispositions, specifically for complex, multifactorial diseases. It aggregates the effects of thousands of genetic variants for disease risk prediction at the individual level, which can guide personalized healthcare.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary purpose of the genome-wide polygenic score (GPS) procedure is c) Predicting trait predispositions. GPS is a statistical approach that aggregates the effects of thousands of genetic variants across the entire genome to predict an individual's predisposition to certain traits, which include complex diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancers. These traits are often multifactorial or polygenic, meaning they are influenced by multiple genes in addition to environmental factors. GPS helps in predicting disease risk at the individual level by determining the cumulative effect of many small genetic variations on the phenotype of an individual.
While GPS can identify single variations and evaluate specific gene functions to an extent, its main utility lies in assessing the overall genetic contribution to complex traits. It does not primarily focus on isolating rare genetic mutations; instead, it integrates vast amounts of data to assess risk for more common, multifactorial diseases. Information gleaned from GPS can lead to personalized preventive measures and tailored healthcare interventions.
In the realm of personal genomics, this approach is particularly useful because most common diseases involve multiple genetic and environmental factors rather than arising from single gene mutations.