Personal genomics: understanding who you are and why

By Dick Pelletier

      

    Ever wonder why it's so difficult to lose weight, or change bad habits? And have you ever pondered if those prescription drugs and vitamins you gulp down every day really help? Personal genomics, a new scientific field unfolding in today's high-tech world promises to help define the real you and provide solutions to some of your most personal problems.

    Today's researchers are discovering how genes exercise control over the body and are gaining a better understanding of how we acquire our physical and mental abilities. As this ground-breaking science advances, doctors will be more accurate in prescribing drugs that correct our physical and emotional deficiencies, and can make meaningful recommendations for lifestyle changes.

    Enthusiasm for personal genomics began in 1990 with the Human Genome Project, an effort to sequence all the genes in a human being, completed in 2003 at a cost of $3 billion. In 2004, Craig Venter and James Watson had their genomes sequenced for $1 million each. Today, the biotech firm Knome (pronounced "know me") will sequence and analyze genomes for $100,000.

    However experts say that sequencing prices must come down much further before this technology can spread worldwide. Addressing this issue, Menlo Park, CA startup Pacific Biosciences plans to offer personal genomes for $1,000 by 2013, and other companies, Illumina, Applied Biosystems, and Helicos BioSciences all have goals to provide personal genomes for $1,000 or less. Forward-thinkers predict that between 2015 and 2020, cost for a personal genome could drop under $100.

    Genes create our tastes and aptitudes, like curiosity, ambition, and empathy. And these traits drive most of the opportunities that direct our lives. In a recent New York Times article, experimental psychologist Steven Pinker predicted that "One day we will identify actual genes that incline a person to being nasty or nice, an egghead or a doer, a sad sack or a blithe spirit."

    Genetic makeup affects the wiring of the brain, a 3-lb organ that psychiatrists call the "seat of personality," which directs thoughts and actions. When properly nourished, genes in our neural cells operate correctly; but when sickness occurs or we place ourselves in a negative environment, mutations can appear that drastically alter our outlook towards life.

    In today's trial and error 'reactive' medical world, doctors prescribe a drug in hopes that it will solve the problem; if it doesn't, the patient is given another drug. This works sometimes, but far too often, it fails. With personal genomics, the doctor understands the patient’s genetic profile and always knows the exact drug or procedure that has the best chance for success.

    Prospects for this new science are bright. Researchers are conducting clinical trials using genetic techniques and stem cell therapies to replace defective genes and cells. These procedures are described in the report, "2020: A New Vision, a Future for Regenerative Medicine." Support for this NIH project is growing under the Obama Administration.

    Personal genomics promises huge changes for life in the 2010s. On a typical doctor visit, you swipe a gene card and the doctor becomes aware of your medical needs. He then prescribes the exact drugs that guarantee perfect health until your next visit. Go "magical future."

This article appeared in various print publications and on-line blogs. Comments always welcome.