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Impact of complex genetic conditions on public health
Author(s) -
Vogel F.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
clinical genetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.543
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1399-0004
pISSN - 0009-9163
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-0004.1989.tb03218.x
Subject(s) - selection (genetic algorithm) , adaptation (eye) , biology , genetic variation , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , mutation , genetics , public health , population , evolutionary biology , gene , medicine , environmental health , neuroscience , psychiatry , computer science , nursing , artificial intelligence
Complex genetic diseases are often common; in most common diseases liability is influenced by genetic variation. The ways in which this variation is analyzed are discussed using diabetes, affective disorders and schizophrenia as examples. Molecular biology has opened new paths for a more incisive analysis of genetic heterogeneity and biological mechanisms. However, important population genetic aspects such as mutation and selection are largely unexplored. Therefore, predictions regarding possible increases or decreases in frequencies of susceptibility genes are hardly feasible. In many cases, however, the public health impact of such diseases can be alleviated and the quality of life of the individual can be improved, by appropriate adaptation of relevant environmental factors.