http://scienceprogress.org/2008/10/the-5000-complete-genome-and-the-coming-genetic-microsofts/ Tue, 13 Sep 2011 13:59:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://scienceprogress.org/2008/10/the-5000-complete-genome-and-the-coming-genetic-microsofts/comment-page-1/#comment-3215 Peter Reiner Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:46:57 +0000 http://www.scienceprogress.org/2008/10/the-5000-complete-genome-and-the-coming-genetic-microsofts/#comment-3215 This is a very interesting observation, but one caveat is in order. Understanding genetic information is, at best, quite subtle, and except for obvious autosomal dominant mutations, even many practicing scientists have difficulty deciphering the real meaning of a particular genetic makeup. Perhaps the best-known example of a polymorphism that is 'associated' with a particular disease, although it has been known that APOE4 polymorphisms increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease for over 15 years, the mechanism remains unknown and the effects remain statistical, not predictive. While companies such as 23andme, Knome and others do indeed offer information, it is far from clear how capable members of the general public are in the interpretation of that information. Perhaps this is one reason that the Personal Genome Project requires volunteers for its first program of genetic screening to "pass an exam demonstrating a master’s-degree level of understanding about genetics". This is a very interesting observation, but one caveat is in order. Understanding genetic information is, at best, quite subtle, and except for obvious autosomal dominant mutations, even many practicing scientists have difficulty deciphering the real meaning of a particular genetic makeup. Perhaps the best-known example of a polymorphism that is ‘associated’ with a particular disease, although it has been known that APOE4 polymorphisms increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease for over 15 years, the mechanism remains unknown and the effects remain statistical, not predictive. While companies such as 23andme, Knome and others do indeed offer information, it is far from clear how capable members of the general public are in the interpretation of that information. Perhaps this is one reason that the Personal Genome Project requires volunteers for its first program of genetic screening to “pass an exam demonstrating a master’s-degree level of understanding about genetics”.

]]> http://scienceprogress.org/2008/10/the-5000-complete-genome-and-the-coming-genetic-microsofts/comment-page-1/#comment-3103 Johnny Damon Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:08:23 +0000 http://www.scienceprogress.org/2008/10/the-5000-complete-genome-and-the-coming-genetic-microsofts/#comment-3103 Just experimenting with comments section Just experimenting with comments section

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