Question

reflective paper on genomics

Answer 1

Genomics is the study of the entire genomes of organisms. Genome is an organism's full set of DNA, which includes all the genes.Genomics is an area of Genetics. But it differs from classical genetics as it deals with entire set of genetic materials.

The concept of Genomics was developed by Fred Sanger for the fist time. He took the practice of genomics in 1970s and 1980s.The term genomics was first coined by Tom Roderick in 1986.

Genomics uses DNA sequencing methods in combination with bioinformatics and it is concerned with Sequencing, assembling and analysing the structure and function of an organism's genome. It also involves study of Intra genomic interactions like epistasis, heterosis and pleiotropy. It focuses on interactions between loci and alleles within the genome as well.

Genomics has tremendous applications in medicine anthropology, social Sciences, biotechnology etc. In older days, genetic engineering and genomic studies were only applied to certain category of diseases like chromosomal anomalies, congenital defects etc. But now a days the scope of Genetics and genomics has such advanced that more diseases are brought under the study of genomes. For example, cancer, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases and lot more. Genomics strive to determine complete DNA sequences and perform genetic mapping to understand the diseases.

Lot of genome based researches are advancing.The treatment can be planned and decided depending upon the patient's genomic makeup. Genomics can be applied in predicting diseases which in turn help for taking up preventive measures and for early detection of diseases and starting prompt treatment

There are a lot of challenges involved in the field of genomics like patient preparation, patient education, getting an informed consent from the patient etc.The patient and the family should be given a proper and effective counselling and they need to be explained about the risk for incidental and uncertain outcomes in between.Assessment of a proper risk benefit ratio is very much important in this kind of technological implementation.

There are also lot of legal and ethical issues involved in genomics : confidentiality and breach of privacy, discrimination, unbiased accessibility etc.

So all this indicates that more research is needed to be conducted in the area of genomics which will throw more light on improved Diagnostic and treatment strategies, evidence based approaches, decision making tools etc. Thus genomics can act as a major change in future Healthcare scenario.