Genes, Chromosomes, and Disease: From Simple Traits, to Complex Traits, to Personalized Medicine (FT Press Science)

This readable overview covers the rise of medical genetics through the past century, and the eugenic impulses it has inspired. Nicholas Gillham reviews the linkages between genes and disease; ethnic groups’ differential susceptibility to genetic traits and disorders; personalized medicine; and crucial social and ethical issues arising from the field’s progress. Annotation An authoritative overview of the rise of medical genetics over the past century, from eugenics to the brink of personalized medicine. & bull; & bull;Explains the differential susceptibility to specific genetic traits and disorders among different ethnic groups. & bull;Explains the role of genes in causing disease, and the prospects that genetic information will help prevent, treat, and cure diseases. & bull;Presents the ethical issues and social context of medical genetics, from eugenics to the brink of a truly personalized medicine. This very readable overview of the rise and transformations of medical genetics and of the eugenic impulses that have been inspired by the emerging understanding of the genetic basis of many diseases and disabilities is based on a popular nonmajors course, 'Social Implications of Genetics, ' which Gillham gave for many years at Duke University. The book is suitable for use as a text in similar overview courses about genes and social issues or genes and disease. It gives a good overview of the developments and status of this field for a wide range of biomedical researchers, physicians, and students, especially those interested in the prospects for the new, genetics-based personalized medicine

100+ Years of Medical Genetics: An Authoritative History in Social and Ethical Context

This is an exceptionally readable overview of the rise and transformations of medical genetics throughout the past century. It thoroughly reviews the field, summarizes current scientific understanding, and encourages readers to seriously reflect on the ethical and social implications. Gillham explains

• How genetic diseases arise and why some ethnic groups are more susceptible to specific disorders
• How scientists are trying to identify the genetic factors underlying multifaceted conditions like diabetes and heart disease
• The value and limitations of genetic information in prevention, treatment, and cure
• The complex, subtle interrelationships between genes and cancer
• What science knows--and doesn’t know--about genetics and human behavior
• The fraught, controversial history of attempts to link genes with intelligence
• Gene therapy: what’s worked and what hasn’t
• The potential and profound implications of personalized medicine

Extensive references are provided, along with a complete glossary.

This very readable overview of the rise and transformations of medical genetics and of the eugenic impulses that have been inspired by the emerging understanding of the genetic basis of many diseases and disabilities is based on a popular nonmajors course,'Social Implications of Genetics,'that Gillham gave for many years at Duke University. The book is suitable for use as a text in similar overview courses about genes and social issues or genes and disease. It gives a good overview of the developments and status of this field for a wide range of biomedical researchers, physicians, and students, especially those interested in the prospects for the new, genetics-based personalized medicine. Annotation. This overview covers the rise of medical genetics through the past century and the eugenic impulses it has inspired. It reviews the linkages between genes and disease, ethnic groups' differential susceptibility to genetic traits and disorders, personalized medicine and crucial social and ethical issues arising from progress Hunting for disease genes How genetic diseases arise Ethnicity and genetic disease Susceptibility genes and risk factors Genes and cancer Genes and behavior Genes and IQ : an unfinished story Preventing genetic disease Treating genetic disease The dawn of personalized medicine.