Genetics and Genomics in the Practice of Medicine

Abstract

The completion of the human genome sequence, and the understanding of the genes encoded by it, is resulting in a new era in medicine. It is now recognized that human beings are more similar than they are different, and the extent of heritable human genetic variation is currently being cataloged. In addition, cells or tissues may acquire genetic and genomic changes during pathogenic processes such as cancer. These differences play important roles in both susceptibility to disease and the response of an individual to particular drugs or therapeutic regimens.