---Italian biologist Du Baik
With countries playing a more and more important role in the human genome research boom, genes began to slowly come down from a relatively scientific research term, into the common household. We are beginning to know and accept that genes are the code of life and the intrinsic cause of all diseases.
At the same time, the development of modern medicine also shows more and more clearly that human diseases are more or less directly or indirectly related to genes. By utilizing the human genome map, we will be able to more easily, more clearly, and more thoroughly understand the role of genes in human life, making it possible to conquer diseases and improve the quality of human life.
With the deepening of genetic research and the continuous exploration of gene technology, we have been able to regenerate human tissues at the molecular level, preventing and even starting to treat diseases before they occur. Even for human beings for thousands of years "immortality" desire is not completely helpless, because we have been able to control the so-called "aging" and "longevity" to some extent. We can already control the so-called "aging" and "longevity" genes to a certain extent, shortening the distance between health and longevity. The first step is to make sure that you have a good understanding of what you are doing and how you are doing it, and how you are doing it, and how you are doing it.
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But as a bystander, the general public has no idea about genes and genetic diagnostic technology, and there is no clear distinction, which is extremely unfavorable to the promotion of genetic technology and the battlefield.
From the point of view of the types of gene diagnostic technology, it can be roughly divided into polymerase chain reaction (PCR), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), gene sequencing and gene chip technology. The PCR technology can only detect one or more genes, but its operation is simple and fast, and has become the standard in many hospitals and independent laboratories; while FISH is mainly used in cytogenetic field, such as cancer detection, prenatal detection, etc., with relatively low accuracy and sensitivity; the significant features of gene chips are manifested in the relatively low cost, rapid detection, and high accuracy.
The cost of genetic testing technology is decreasing, and with the advancement and promotion of second-generation sequencing technology and equipment, it is expected that it will become the most dynamic testing technology in the future.
So what are the medical applications of genetic testing and how does it affect our lives? Why is it somehow the gateway to the realization of precision medicine?
(a) Genetic testing technology can help us realize "the upper doctor to cure the disease"
As genes can be localized, divided and identified, more and more diseases can be found through genetic testing to find the causative genes before serious symptoms are manifested, so as to give us a "warning".
If the genetic test shows that the population is normal, it can avoid the use of some of the examination and medication that is not necessary, and reduce unnecessary medical expenses; and for the genetic test detects that there is a susceptibility gene for a certain disease, it also allows us to be more targeted to prevent, through artificial changes in lifestyle and so on to intervene.
With the improvement of living standards, people are willing to pay even to maintain their own health, before the disease is prevented first, there is therefore a market basis, "on the doctor to cure the disease" will no longer be a legend. At the same time to promote not only the progress of disease prevention genetic testing technology, will also drive the synergistic development of the health industry.
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(2) Accurate genetic testing technology can guide the use of medication
In addition to early knowledge of diseases, early prevention, early treatment, a considerable degree of accurate genetic testing can guide us to a more accurate use of medication to improve the efficiency of medication, but also reduce the waste of medical care.
For example, many patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases take an anticoagulant called warfarin. According to the instruction manual, once a piece of 3 mg can be eaten, but some people eat just right, some people eat half a piece of hemorrhage, some people eat two or three tablets still does not work.
In addition to these people, there are those who usually need long-term or even lifelong treatment with a certain drug (such as cardiovascular drugs, psychiatric drugs, gastrointestinal drugs, antiviral drugs); have a history of serious adverse drug reactions or family members who have had an adverse drug reaction; patients receiving multiple medications at the same time; patients who are often in contact with toxic substances; patients who have not been able to control their illnesses well with the use of a certain drug. Patients who have been using certain medications with unsatisfactory results and unstable disease control; and certain special populations such as children and the elderly need accurate genetic testing to guide their medication use.
Adverse drug reaction statistics
In addition, the guidance here is not just about the right amount of medication to achieve the best results, but also about the safe use of medication. According to data from the China Rehabilitation Center for Deaf Children, as many as 300,000 children under the age of 7 in China have been deafened by the irrational use of antibiotics, accounting for as much as 30%-40% of the overall percentage of deaf children, compared with only 0.9% in some developed countries. Therefore, in how to avoid "a shot to deafness" on this issue, the relevant genetic testing, is also essential.
The current genetic testing technology is becoming more mature, and can accurately find out the degree of sensitivity of the patient to a certain drug, to guide us to safe use of drugs, and to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the drug.
As the cost of sequencing decreases, genetic testing will have greater significance in "full data" testing and safe drug use
(3) Genetic testing technology may influence and advocate new lifestyles
The mapping of the human genome and the deeper understanding of human genes have allowed genes to begin to play a more important role in our health and well-being. begin to serve our health more. To some extent, genetic testing also allows us to make rational, scientific choices about how to live a healthy lifestyle based on our own genetic characteristics.
For example, if you find that you are susceptible to liver disease through genetic testing, and you happen to be an "alcoholic", then you must drink less, be less angry, stay in a happy mood, and take effective measures to avoid contact with the source of liver disease; if you are tested for lung disease, then you should try not to go to the airports, or not to go to the air conditioners, or not to go to the airports. If you have been detected with a susceptibility gene for lung disease, you should try to go less or not to go to places where the air is dirty, avoid strenuous exercise and have regular lung checkups and maintenance; if you are found to have a susceptibility gene for breast cancer, you should pay more attention to your own habits and go to the hospital regularly for systematic checkups, so as to avoid the nightmare of haunting your body.
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The identification of disease susceptibility genes mentioned here is, in layman's terms, genetic screening, also known as genetic screening, genetic testing or genetic physical examination. The United States took the lead in carrying out genetic screening for bowel cancer in medical institutions in 1994, and a year later the United Kingdom also began a comprehensive genetic screening system. 2002, more than 700,000 people in the European Union underwent genetic testing, and in 2004, the World Health Organization launched the international standard of genetic testing. 2005, nearly 5 million people in the United States have received genetic testing, and through prognostications and medical interventions, the incidence rate of colon cancer has dropped by 90%, breast cancer has dropped by 20%, and the incidence rate of breast cancer has dropped by 20%. In 2005, nearly 10 million people in the United States had received genetic testing, and through foreknowledge and medical intervention, the incidence rate of colorectal cancer dropped by 90%, and the incidence rate of breast cancer dropped by 70%. From this point of view, even if genetic testing is only 5% of the market share of molecular diagnostics in the market is optimistic about a technology, although it is not considered mainstream, but its development prospects show the tip of the iceberg when it was pulled into the battlefield "coaxing", and not without reason.
Finally, coupled with the promotion and influence of the Internet, the traditional molecular diagnostic enterprises will face a thorny transition problem. At the same time, more and more cross-border cooperation has entered our vision and flooded the market, such as: "Internet + gene", "gene + medical beauty", "gene + insurance"
Reference reading
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