-Italian biologist Dubberke
With countries playing an increasingly important role in the upsurge of human genome research, genes began to slowly step down from a relatively scientific term to ordinary people. We began to know and accept that genes are the code of life and the internal cause of various diseases.
At the same time, the development of modern medicine shows more and more clearly that human diseases are more or less directly or indirectly related to genes. Using the human genome map, we will more easily, clearly and thoroughly understand the role of genes in human birth, aging, illness and death, making it really possible to overcome diseases and improve the quality of human life.
With the deepening of genetic research and the continuous exploration of genetic technology, we have been able to regenerate human tissues at the molecular level, and we can prevent or even start treating diseases before they occur. Even for thousands of years, our desire for human beings to live forever is not completely helpless, because we have been able to control the so-called "aging" and "longevity" genes to a certain extent, shortening the distance between health and longevity. It is precisely because of this that a "gene war" between countries, governments and enterprises has intensified. There was no smoke, but it was extremely fierce.
Figure pixabay
As a bystander, the general public knows little about genes and gene diagnosis technology, and there is no clear distinction, which is extremely unfavorable to the promotion of gene technology and the battle for "battlefield".
According to the technical types of gene diagnosis, it can be roughly divided into polymerase chain reaction (PCR), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), gene sequencing and gene chip technology. Although PCR technology can only detect one or more genes, it is simple and quick to operate, and has become the standard in many hospitals and independent laboratories. FISH is mainly used in the field of cytogenetics, such as cancer detection and prenatal detection. The accuracy and sensitivity are relatively low; The remarkable features of gene chip are relatively low cost, fast detection speed and high accuracy.
The cost of gene detection technology is decreasing. With the progress and popularization of the second generation sequencing technology and equipment, it is expected to become the most powerful detection technology in the future.
So, what are the applications of genetic testing technology in medicine and what impact does it have on our lives? Why is it to some extent the entrance to achieve precision medical care?
(A) genetic testing technology can help us achieve "disease before treatment."
Because genes can be located, divided and identified, more and more diseases can find the pathogenic genes through genetic testing before they show serious symptoms, thus giving us an "early warning", which usually allows carriers of such diseases enough time to take measures for prevention or early treatment.
If the genetic test shows normal people, we can avoid using some unnecessary tests and drugs and reduce unnecessary medical expenses; When genetic testing detects susceptible genes carrying a certain disease, we can also change our lifestyle artificially, so that we can carry out prevention and intervention more pertinently.
With the improvement of living standards, people are willing to pay for maintaining their health, so prevention before illness has a market foundation, and "treatment before illness" will no longer be a legend. At the same time, it will also promote the progress of disease prevention gene detection technology and promote the coordinated development of health industry.
This photo was posted by neo tam on Pixabay.
(2) Accurate genetic testing technology can guide drug use.
In addition to early detection, prevention and treatment of diseases, a considerable degree of accurate genetic testing can guide us to use drugs more accurately, improve the efficiency of drug use and reduce medical waste.
For example, many patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases have to take an anticoagulant called warfarin. According to the instructions, it is ok to take one tablet at a time, but some people eat just right, some people will bleed heavily if they eat half a tablet, and some people eat two or three tablets.
In addition to these people, there are patients who usually need long-term or even lifelong drug treatment (such as cardiovascular drugs, psychotropic drugs, digestive tract drugs, antiviral drugs); People who have a history of serious adverse drug reactions or family members who have had adverse drug reactions; Patients receiving multiple drugs at the same time; Patients who are often exposed to toxic substances; Patients with unsatisfactory drug use and unstable condition; Some special people, such as children and the elderly, need accurate genetic testing to guide drug use accurately.
Statistics of Adverse Drug Reaction Data
Not only that, the medication guidance here is not only to achieve the best curative effect in a moderate amount, but also to guide the safe medication. According to the statistics of China Rehabilitation Research Center for Deaf Children, the number of deaf children under 7 years old in China is as high as 300,000, accounting for 30%-40% of all deaf children, while it is only 0.9% in some developed countries. Therefore, how to avoid "one-shot deafness" and carry out related genetic testing is also essential.
At present, genetic testing technology is becoming more and more mature, which can accurately find the sensitivity of patients to a certain drug, guide us to use drugs safely, and ensure the safety and effectiveness of drugs.
With the reduction of sequencing cost, gene detection is more meaningful in "full data" detection and safe drug use.
(3) Genetic testing technology may influence and advocate new lifestyles.
The mapping of human genome and our deeper understanding of human genes make genes begin to serve our health more. To some extent, genetic testing can also enable people to rationally and scientifically choose a healthy lifestyle according to their own genetic characteristics.
For example, if you find that you have a liver disease susceptibility gene through genetic testing, and you are an alcoholic, then you must drink less, be less angry, keep a happy mood, and take effective measures to avoid contact with the source of liver disease infection; If the susceptibility genes of lung diseases are detected, go to places with dirty air as little as possible, avoid strenuous exercise, and conduct regular lung examination and maintenance; If you find yourself with breast cancer susceptibility genes, you should pay more attention to your living habits and go to the hospital for systematic examination regularly to avoid nightmares.
This photo was posted on Pixabay by a digital artist.
The identification of susceptible genes mentioned here is generally called genetic screening, also known as genetic screening, genetic testing or genetic physical examination. 1994, the United States took the lead in carrying out genetic screening for colorectal cancer in medical institutions, and a year later, Britain also began a comprehensive genetic screening system. In 2002, more than 700,000 people in the European Union underwent genetic testing, and in 2004, the World Health Organization introduced the international standard for genetic testing. In 2005, nearly 5 million people in the United States received genetic testing. Through prediction and medical intervention, the incidence of colorectal cancer decreased by 90% and the incidence of breast cancer decreased by 70%. From this point of view, even if genetic testing is only a promising technology in molecular diagnosis, with a market share of only 5%, although it is not the mainstream, it is not without reason that its development prospect is pulled into the battlefield when the tip of the iceberg is exposed.
Finally, under the promotion and influence of the Internet, traditional molecular diagnosis enterprises will face a thorny transformation problem. At the same time, more and more cross-border cooperation has entered our field of vision and flooded into the market, such as "Internet plus genes", "genes plus medical beauty", "genes plus insurance" and "genes plus". But how to carry out the chain reaction caused by genetic testing, their development track and future are still behind.
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