Discovering Pharmacogenetics

Many people thought that since the completion of the human genome project

, pharmacogenetics has been hyped up again. The scientific investigation was first conducted in 1959 by a German scientist, Friedrich Vogel. However, in his time, the resources were very limited. Even the basis for conducting further studies was uncompelling.

The Human Genome Project was completed in 2003, and scientists who were involved in this project fueled the hope that was once clung onto by the German scientist and his cohorts when they first imparted that the genetic constitution of an individual can have an impact on the way his body responds to certain medicines.

In our time, it is an unfortunate fact that the medicines are not as efficacious as they could be in more than 50% of the patients. In addition, the success rate of treatment may even be lower in most of these patients. Hence, many pharmaceutical and bio-technological companies invest in pharmacogenomics in hope of personalizing medicines based on an individual's genetic composition.

With personalized medicines, patients can be assured of more cost-effective, efficacious and with least side effects medicines. As a consequence of this research, patients will have greater chances at recovery and even greater chances at being cured.

To date, there have been more than 20 medicines which labels mention the availability of tests for genetic differences that influence the reactions of drugs-if at all. However, in some cases like the anti-cancer medicines Irinotecan and Azathioprine, the testing is optional. This is because of the drug's potential in accumulating the toxic levels in the bloodstream of a small sub-population.

The said test for genetic variations can be requested through your doctor, who in turn will order a test from a medical laboratory. A few of major medical institutions that offer pharmacogenetic tests are the Mayo Clinic, the Indiana University School of Medicine and St. Jude Children's Hospital. The genetic variation test is conducted by having a technician draw a sample of your blood. It is also possible to rub a cotton swab along the interior portion of your cheek and collect the cells. The Laboratory will then extract the genetic substance from the sample and initiate the test.

Samples of cancer biopsy are also submitted to genetic tests. Their results are especially helpful in devising guide therapy and predicting the chances of recurrence. Even the US FDA has approved several of these tests. Now, while, the genetic data can be helpful in many ways, many fear that they could be used against them. However, with the enactment of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act in 1996, there should be no ground in having fears of being discriminated in a job, or to deny them of health insurance coverage.

Also, the institutions that carry out the pharmacogenetic testing are bound by the confidentiality clause. They are expected to keep all matters and information in high confidence. Meanwhile, at the present time, the knowledge obtained from the scientific study gives reason to pharmaceutical companies to design, formulate and market certain drugs for people of specific genetic profile.

by: Charles Godbout

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