Gene sequencing cannot predict illness satisfactorily.
A study conducted by Dr. Bert Vogelstein of Johns Hopkins and his team, investigated and analyzed if sequencing entire DNA of a person would help in determining the individual’s risk of disease, reports NY Times. The study has been published in the journal, Science Translational Medicine.
The study involved analysis of data of 53,666 identical twins collected from registries in United States, Denmark, Finland, and Norway. Twins share the same genometype and hence would have the same risks for a disease. Data from twins were analyzed for clinically significant risk for 24 different diseases and the results obtained were as follows:
- Majority of individuals would receive negative test results for 23 of the 24 diseases.
- However, even in those testing negative, the probability of getting 19 of the 24 diseases would be around 50% to 80 %.
- Nevertheless, 90% of those tested may be alerted to a predisposition to at least one disease like, Type 1 diabetes, autoimmune thyroid disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.
The study indicates that complete DNA sequencing alone cannot predict diseases a person may have in future.
Related posts:
- Depression: Don’t Just Alleviate Symptoms But Cure Actual Illness, By Dan Roberts
- Laura’s Law – New Law For People Suffering From Mental Illness
- Coronary Artery Disease Linked To Y Chromosome: Study By Fadi J. Charchar
- Study Links Red Meat To Increased Cancer and Heart Disease Mortality
- Can DNA Testing Provide Reliable Result In Determining Baby’s Sex?