The purpose of this blog

Over the last two decades there have been countless stories in the mainstream news about human genetics. We are frequently told that the "gene for" something has been discovered - the gene for speech, the gene for schizophrenia, the gene for diabetes, even a gene for left-handedness. However, the mainstream media notion of a single "gene for" any complex human trait is misguided, since essentially all human traits are influenced by multiple genetic and environmental factors. The media rarely report accurately on this complexity; nor do they report on follow-up studies, which frequently fail to replicate the findings of early genetic studies.

If the media can't be trusted to provide reliable information on human genetics, who can? The academic literature is the ultimate source, but it is often difficult to access and always difficult to read - most research papers are written in jargon that makes it easier for scientists to communicate, but is inaccessible for laypeople. Genetic testing companies provide online information that sounds authoritative, but can be skewed to fit a corporate message. Increased public interest in genetics has created a niche for web-sites covering the area written by non-experts. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the masses of conflicting information.

Yet it is now more important than ever to be informed about advances in human genetics. Recent studies involving thousands of participants have rigorously identified dozens of different genetic factors influencing the risk of common diseases, as well as the genes underlying common variable traits such as eye and hair colour. Many of these genetic influences have since been independently verified by other groups. As large research groups recruit more and more participants for genetic studies, their power to identify real genetic influences grows - and this has very real consequences for the early detection and prevention of diseases, and for family planning.

At the same time, our ability to obtain genetic information about ourselves is advancing with amazing speed. Ten years ago, commercial genetic tests were available for only a handful of rare diseases. Now, companies offer customers information on hundreds of thousands of different genetic variations scattered throughout their genome.

So, what will the new genetic technologies say about us? Interpreted correctly, these technologies can sometimes tell us things we already know (our eye and hair colour) and sometimes things we don't (our true paternity). They can tell us about our past, by mining our genome for the traces of our ancestors; and most importantly, they can tell us about our future, by calculating the impact of many small genetic influences on our risk of both disease. Over the next decade, these technologies will have a profound effect on public healthcare, our legal system, and our society, for better or for worse.

The purpose of this blog is to cut through the hype associated with new discoveries in human genetics, and present you with the facts. Instead of exaggerated stories from the mainstream news or biased advertising from genetics companies, I'll explain to you - in plain language - what these findings tell us about ourselves, and the impact they will have on the lives of our children.

Daniel.


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