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The human genome and the future of medicine
Author(s) -
Mattick John S
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2003.tb05505.x
Subject(s) - human genome , genome , computational biology , biology , evolutionary biology , genetics , gene
The draft human genome sequence (about 3 billion base pairs) was completed in 2001. Humans have fewer protein‐coding genes than expected, and most of these are highly conserved among animals. Humans and other complex organisms produce massive amounts of non‐coding RNAs, which may form another level of genetic output that controls differentiation and development. Aside from classical monogenic diseases and other differences caused by mutations and polymorphisms in protein‐coding genes, much of the variation between individuals, including that which may affect our predispositions to common diseases, is probably due to differences in the non‐coding regions of the genome (ie, the control architecture of the system). Within 10 years we can expect to see: ➢ increased penetration of DNA diagnostic tests to assess risk of disease, to diagnose pathogens, to determine the best treatment regimens, and for individual identification; ➢ a range of new pharmaceuticals as well as new gene and cell therapies to repair damage, to optimise health and to minimise future disease risk; and ➢ medicine become increasingly personalised, with the knowledge of individual genetic make‐up and lifestyle influences.