To whichever extent we may excel, human body will remain one of the most complicated and complex systems on Earth. The best part is that it grows more beautiful and intriguing as we begin scrolling it more within.
How are we so different than our fellow beings? Our eyes, health preferences, bodily characteristics, thoughts as well as our affinity to serve the Environment?
This happens because of genes, the genetic material contained in our DNA holding most of our information. We get these from our parents but a string of combination occurs to ensure our better chances at survival for diversity is the key for human Evolution.
How can Genes affect our Health and our ability to be protected from Diseases?
This recombination of DNA leads to mutations, some of which work even better than the original, may cause problems or make no difference at all. Mutation caused in one or more genes, leads to genetic disorder.
Most common diseases occurring amongst Humans today are rather caused by a combination of faulty gene changes, lifestyle choices, and even our environment.
“The goal is to understand why people are different, and such differences come from the combination of genes and environments,” explains an allied Research fellow.
For instance, while some gene changes alone can make us more susceptible to develop cancer.
At times, our environment can help alter the DNA. For example, improper exposure to the Sun damages DNA in the cells exposed to it, and if this damage remains unrepaired, the gene changes will be recorded and reproduced forever.
If Human body holds the secret for diseases within, the answer shall be within too.
“Considering genetic components provides us with a more holistic answer to this question, but genetic results are just about probability, not determinism.”
She explains further: “Heritability suggests there are genetic components. But heritability estimates are influenced by both genetics and environments. Our environmental behavior is probably more complicated than we think.”
Genetic Screening and the benefits adhering to it: India’s case in specific
A 2020 study focuses on mortality rates in India as compared to the rest of the world in terms of cancer, wherein the new cases of cancer is about 57 per cent.
Though this high mortality rate can be tackled through creating awareness, early screening or detection at an early stage to get a dedicated targeted therapy.
But prevention is any day better than cure. If one can predict a human body’s affinity to develop a particular disease, why not get the superior advantage.
Worldwide, cancer in particular will hit approximately 10-12 per cent of women.
India is a hub for non-communicable diseases. “Fit India” will be developed if we can utilize this genetic engineering within people where it is meant to be.
With improving technology, genetic tests have been made increasingly affordable as well as universally available, only for those who know. Ignorance is only killing the efforts.
It has just become a one-time screening, that costs nearly 10 thousand now, instead of 20 to 25 thousand earlier.
How is genetic screening done?
Genetic testing is a simple blood test or even the tissues extracted from Human mouth on a cotton swab, that can help provide a diagnosis for any genetic condition or information about potential risk of developing cancer.
After collection of the sample, it is further processed to extract DNA and then a machine is responsible for analyzing the human gene.
If the human is tested positive for a particular gene being tested, he/she can begin the prescribed treatment beforehand to inhibit further progress leading to the disease.
Rigorous surveillance, lifestyle alterations become necessary and even frequent. Chemoprevention or a surgery may be recommended even when other tests may show no signs for the onset of the disease.
Consequently, human can in one way be stepping ahead than its own complexities in life. This can only be achieved with technology and innovation.
Deeper adaptation and penetration can further strengthen our understanding of how these things work and can be used to provide Humans with relevant important data.